Plastic Ban

Single-use plastic bag ban starts in New Caledonia

From now on, single-use plastic bags are banned.

In a month, the ban will be extended to plastic plates and straws, and starting next May, plastic food packaging will be prohibited.

Per capita New Caledonians have reportedly used more than 200 plastic bags each year.

When the law was adopted by congress last year, some parties abstained from voting, suggesting the change was too sudden.

Governor supports plastic ban

He said apart from making the environment look untidy, plastic bags are just too harmful.

Parkop’s statement follows the international theme for the World Environment Week, “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

“We are developing a bad habit, bad culture and bad attitude,” said the Governor.

“We are making money more important than the natural environment.”
Parkop said 18 months have been given to plastic firms but after that, he urged Minister Pundari to ‘just ban it’. 

“No more excuses,” said the Governor.

Companies face K50,000 fine on plastics ban

 Agriculture and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscoll said “The law makes the importation and trade of non-biodegradable plastic bags illegal, and a crime with a penalty of 2 years imprisonment or K50, 000 (fine) against those who commit this offence.”

Tomscoll earlier announced that the ban had come into effect on the first day of 2016 and companies must comply because the law has been in existence for the last five years without having been enforced.  

Tomscoll’s plastic ban, abuse of power claim

Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye has described the ban as ‘unplanned, abuse of power and uneconomical.’

Mr Polye said when the ban fully came into effect, it would affect many business houses and even the producers overseas.

“I understand there is no alternative to cater for the bag shortage.

“Such bans should have been debated nationwide through workshops but nothing of such took place,” he said.

Polye said this means everyone would be ‘dancing to the minister and his board’s music.’

Naru backs plastic ban

He says plastics are a major environmental concern in PNG and is an eyesore, especially when disposed on the streets, roads and in the sea.

 “Plastic bags and other plastic products should now be replaced by biodegradable alternates or be banned altogether in PNG,” he added

Naru said supermarkets and shops should allow men and women to use bilums to carry their goods.

“I call for shops and supermarkets to recognise its place in our society and allow women to carry their bilums with minimum fuss and hindrance when they are out shopping.”