In Montenegro, the use of plastic bags is prohibited from today

(Patria) - Plastic bags and single-use plastics are prohibited in Montenegro from today in accordance with the Waste Management Law.

For non-compliance with this legal provision, penalties ranging from one thousand to 40,000 euros are foreseen, writes Pobjeda.me.

The government previously adopted a Decree on the fee paid by sellers of light plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of more than 50 microns.

"It is stipulated that the amount of this fee is 0.03 euros per piece, and it is calculated based on the monthly report on the quantity of bags that the seller has put into circulation," the government explains.

The decree, as stated, should contribute to reducing the use of plastic bags and improving the existing waste management situation, thereby reducing the negative impact on the environment and human health.

"Funds from this fee will be paid into the account of the Environmental Protection Fund and can only be used to finance and co-finance awareness-raising and public information activities and campaigns on the harmfulness of plastic bag use for the environment," the government emphasizes.

Today, the ban on the use of plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of 15 to 50 microns came into force. These are approximately the bags sold in supermarkets at the checkout, while bags up to 15 microns, those thinner bags for packaging food and products, are allowed.

Bags with a wall thickness of over 50 microns are not prohibited, but sellers will have to pay a fee for their use.

Sellers will submit reports on the quantity of bags sold to the Environmental Protection Agency. Based on these, the Agency will determine the amount of the fee, and this fee will be paid into the Environmental Protection Fund, and these funds will be used to solve some environmental issues and raise public awareness.

In addition to the ban on bags from 15 to 50 microns, some single-use plastic products are also prohibited. These are primarily cotton swabs, except for those used for medical purposes, e.g., for taking swabs. Then plastic straws, as well as plastic cutlery and certain food packaging boxes.

As for the penalty policy, the fines will range from 1,000 to 40,000 euros. The fines apply to business entities that put these prohibited products into circulation, as well as to the responsible person in that business entity, and the market inspection is the competent authority for control.

The law also provides for special fees for the disposal of mixed municipal waste, as the goal is to reduce waste disposal in landfills and to close landfills by 2030.