Tunisia To Prohibit Plastic Bags In Supermarkets From 2017

The use and distribution of plastic bags will be banned in Tunisia as of 1 March 2017.

An agreement to this effect has been signed by the minister of local affairs and the environment, Riadh Mouakhar, and the president of the National Union of Supermarkets, Mohsen Zrelli, reports Italy’s Nova Agency.

In particular, the distribution of plastic bags will be banned in supermarket chains, including Carrefour, Géant, Monoprix and General Store.

This initiative aims to reduce by 30% initially the use of plastic bags by consumers, or about 300 million units, according to Minister Mouakhar.

The agreement also includes measures to support manufacturers of plastic bags. As part of the initiatives for raising awareness to keep public areas clean, a prize will be awarded to the inventor of biodegradable bags.