Ban of dark brown plastic bags ‘not enough’ — Environment Union

AMMAN — The Ministry of Environment has recently prohibited the use of dark brown plastic bags in a step towards preserving the environment, which the Jordan Environment Union (JEU) described as “not enough”.

Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh issued a circular this week banning the production and distribution of dark brown bags, replacing them with transparent, environmentally friendly bags to protect the environment, health and public safety.

Radaideh indicated that the production and circulation of dark brown bags, the colour of which is closer to black, is considered a violation of the regulation of biodegradable plastic shopping bags and its amendments Number 45 of 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment.

Commenting on this prohibition, JEU President Omar Shoshan told the Jordan Times that the procedures of the Ministry of Environment related to banning plastic bags are “scattered” and will not establish sustainable solutions. 

“The ministry issues media statements solely without an executive plan to get rid of the spread of bags across the Kingdom and limit its environmental, health, social and economic impacts,” Shoshan said.

“We must work proactively with the industrial sector and create a true partnership in finding appropriate solutions, especially financing ones, to ensure the sustainability of environmentally friendly production lines and provide green job opportunities without reaching toward a solution whose economic, social and perhaps environmental consequences are substantially great,” Shoshan said.

International bodies always show their willingness, and there are financing programmes aimed at adapting green economic and industrial activities, Shoshan added.

A few years ago, the ministry formed a partnership council with the private sector and civil society. However it was short lived despite a promising start, he noted.

However, with the change of ministers, policies and priorities change, Shoshan said, calling for a solid plan with clear working mechanisms to address the negative impacts of plastic bags, which he says must encompass a partnership council that includes representatives of chambers of Industry and Commerce.