A light version of the initiative to combat plastics has been approved. Considering that 400 tons of plastic are dumped on the coast every day, this is an issue that can’t wait any longer. The initiative had a vote of 45 for and just one against.
The bill bans the use of plastic straws across the country, has businesses put containers for customers to deposit single-use plastics, and stops state institutions from buying single-use plastics at all.
The project would allow the use of packaging with straws for the next three years, to allow for a transition and the use of juices already packaged with straws. Importers and distributors will have to make sure the bottles they use are manufactured with a percentage of recycled resin, generate less waste, or create recycling programs for their products. They will have to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags for purchases. They will also be encouraged to partner with municipalities in waste collection
Breaches of the law on the use of plastics would be punished with fines of up to 4.4 million colones.
The Ministry of Health will be in charge of an annual report on the reduction of contamination by single-use plastics.
