No more plastic bags in supermarkets from October 1st

Source: Kathimerini Cyprus

In October, Cyprus will take action and reduce the use of plastic, according to a bill passed in 2022 that comes into force on October 1. Consequently, from the first of October, products such as plastic cotton swabs, cutlery, plates and so on will be banned from the market.

Specifically, the plastic ban concerns:

1. Cotton swabs, unless they fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

2. Cutlery [forks, knives, spoons, spoons, chopsticks].

3. Plates.

4. Straws, unless they fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

5. Beverage stirrers.

6. Sticks attached to and supporting balloons, excluding sticks supporting balloons for industrial or other professional uses and applications not distributed to consumers, including mechanisms for such sticks.

7. Food containers made of expanded polystyrene, i.e. containers such as boxes, with or without lids, in which foodstuffs are placed which

(a) intended for immediate consumption either on the premises or off the premises; and

(b) are normally consumed from the container; and

(c) are ready for consumption without further preparation, such as cooking, boiling or heating, including containers used for fast-food meals or other meals ready for immediate consumption, other than beverage containers, plates and packages and wrappers containing food;

8. Beverage containers of expanded polystyrene and their lids and covers.

9. Cups of expanded polystyrene and their lids and covers.

As stated in a note by the President of the Ecologists' Movement, Haralambos Theopeptou, the implementation of the Directive was introduced last year in the rest of the EU countries, and those in Cyprus who were sourcing these materials from European countries were bringing the correct products. A typical example is cotton swabs which are now made of wood or compressed paper. The problem, however, as he points out, remains with those who import directly where customs will now have to trace them, but also illegal supplies from the occupied territories.

In addition, from 18 October, there will be an end to the use of plastic bags. Specifically, based on the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Regulation 68/2022 from 18/02/2023 onwards, plastic carrier bags will be completely banned from being placed at store checkouts.

Now, the next actions focus on reducing consumption, separate collection and design requirements for single-use plastic bottles, mandatory labeling, extended producer responsibility and awareness raising.

[This article was translated from its Greek original]