According to the South American Press Network reported that the Panamanian government recently pointed out that Panama will completely abandon the use of plastic bags by 2020. By then, the use of plastic in Panama will be reduced by 20%.
According to reports, UN data show that plastic bags pose a very serious environmental problem. Each year, 8 million tons of plastic bags are poured into the sea. By 2050, the number of plastic bags in the ocean is even more than that of fish.
To protect the environment, the government of Panama officially announced the ban on the use of plastic bags in supermarkets, self-service shops and general stores. The government said they expect pharmacies and other stores to gradually reduce the use of plastic bags within 18 months. As for large-scale shopping malls such as storage supermarkets The government hopes that they can complete the replacement of plastic bags within 24 months.
Officials from the Ministry of Environmental Protection in Panama said: 'We hope that Panamanian citizens can use reusable bags instead of plastic bags, and Panama's ban on plastic bags can effectively prevent plastic bags in the oceans, as the coastline of Panama has a length of nearly 3,000 kilometers The increase in the number to prevent pollution and contribute to global climate change.
He said: 'We are actively responding to the United Nations' Clean Ocean Campaign. We hope to reduce the excess of plastic products in the oceans through our actions. Panama is the only Caribbean region that has banned the use of plastic in stores except Antigua and Barbuda The bagging countries also demonstrate Panama's determination to protect the natural environment against global climate change. '
The report stated that while other countries in Latin America did not prohibit the use of plastic bags in stores in the country like Panama, they also used other methods to reduce the use of plastic bags. The Colombian government has banned people from using portable plastics up to 30x30 cm. Bags, and the plastic bags will be taxed in July 2017. The Chilean government has also issued a decree on coastal areas to reduce the use of plastic bags in coastal areas.