Use of disposable plastic bags, dishes to be sanctioned in Moldova

Chisinau,1 August /MOLDPRES/ - Fines worth up to 4,500 lei in case of private people and 12,000 lei in case of legal entities will be imposed for the use of plastic bags and dishes, under a draft amendment of the Contravention Code, positively approved by the cabinet of ministers today.    

The draft law was subjected to approval, in order to prohibit, by sanction, the use/sale of disposable plastic bags, plates, glasses, other accessories of table sets and sticks made of plastic, excepting the biodegradable ones, Economics and Infrastructure Minister Vadim Brinzan has said at the cabinet meeting.

The initiative belongs to a group of MPs, who proposed amendments to the Contravention Code, after decision-makers had ascertained that the final version of the law on domestic trade only bans the use of plastic bags, but does not provide for sanctions.

Under this document, the sale of the most resistant and thick bags was banned in Moldova as of 1 January 2019. Subsequently, in 2020 and 2021, all plastic packages were to be gradually taken out of use. The utilization and sale of plastic disposable dishes will be banned in Moldova starting from 1 January 2021.    

At the same time, the Economics and Infrastructure Ministry deems as necessary a reasoned analysis in the informative note of the quantum of sanctions ‘’fine from 60 to 90 conventional units imposed against private person’’ and ‘’fine from 120 to 240 conventional units or by a fine worth the value of the concerned product, but not less than 240 conventional units, imposed against legal entities.’’