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Belarus approves plan for transition to eco-friendly packaging

MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) - A plan of action to gradually reduce the use of polymer packaging and substitute it with eco-friendly packaging was approved by Resolution No. 7 of the Belarusian Council of Ministers on 13 January, BelTA learned from the government's website.

According to the plan, separate waste collection will be organized during mass events. A deposit-refund system for consumer packaging will be introduced in 2020-2021. Plans are in place to ramp up the production of eco-friendly packaging (including paper, glass, biodegradable). 

The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) together with other stakeholders shall compile a list of disposable plastic utensils, the use and sale of which will be banned in catering facilities as from 1 January 2021.

In addition, economic stimuli will be offered for the use of eco-friendly packaging. In 2021, the government will think over a draft resolution to limit the maximum capacity of polymer containers used for bottling of beer and low-alcohol beverages to 1 liter.

In R&D, plans are in place to implement an action plan to create technology and produce biodegradable packaging from plant raw materials.

The national authorities of the state administration, other state organizations subordinate to the government, the National Academy of Sciences, the regional executive committees, and the Minsk City Hall shall ensure the implementation of the action plan.

The resolution comes into force after its official publication.

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