Bulgarian Govt Moves to Reduce Plastic Bags Use

By introducing a tax on the use of plastic bags, the Bulgarian government hopes to motivate citizens to start using other types of packaging. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian government has decided to introduce a tax for the use of plastic bags, in an attempt to motivate citizens to reduce the use of this type of packaging.

On Wednesday, the parliament adopted amendments to the order for fixing the fee for products which use generates widespread waste.

The change is intended to motivate citizens to cut down their consumption of such packaging that is not environmentally friendly.

Last year, the Bulgarian Environment Ministry proposed the introduction of a tax for use of plastic bags as of 2011.

The proposed tax is BGN 0.15 per plastic bag in 2011 and will increase to BGN 0.35 in 2012, BGN 0.45 in 2013 and BGN 0.55 in 2014.

The parliament also amended other orders related to waste, including regulations on packaging and packaging waste, waste from motor vehicles, treatment and transportation of waste from batteries and accumulators, and treatment of electrical and electronic equipment.

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