- Norma seeks to regulate the consumption of technopor bags, sorbets, disposable cutlery and containers.
- There is a trend in the region for the regulation of single-use plastics, countries such as Chile, Ecuador and Colombia, already have some type of legal regulation.
The marine conservation organization congratulates that the bill regulates not only on plastic bags, but also on other single-use plastics such as sorbets, disposable cutlery and technopor containers. Furthermore, it is concerned that the option of biodegradable bags (oxo-biodegradable) as a replacement for conventional plastic bags is discussed, since they do not degrade, they only fragment into microplastics.
“The conditions of the Peruvian sea hinder its decomposition. The water is very cold and productive, when a piece of plastic reaches the sea it is covered with algae and microorganisms that diminish the passage of light, this makes degradation much slower and in that case any animal can eat it”, warns the Scientific Director of Oceana in Peru, Juan Carlos Riveros.
In this regard, the representative of the National Society of Industries (SNI), Jesús Salazar, pointed out that oxo-degradable bags “is simply taking plastic to the smallest particle, but it is still plastic and it is also much more dangerous.” Statements that he made in the discussion Proposals for the regulation of plastic bags, organized by the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law and Healthy City (SPDA).
In the same event, Rosario Uría of the National Institute of Quality (INACAL) declared to be in favor of reducing the use of common plastic bags, “what you have to do is reduce the number of circulating bags, there is too much unnecessary use of these plastic bags ”he stated.
RESPONSIBLE COMPANIES
The law should promote incentives that help both consumers and the business sector contribute to change. Measures that implement the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility must be included, which have demonstrated their effectiveness in other countries.
“The measures should be directed not only at commercial establishments, but at the companies that produce them; they may be focused on promoting recycling, as well as legal goals to reduce the percentage of plastic used in the manufacture of packaging, ”points out the Director of Oceana’s policies in Peru, Carmen Heck.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.