Plastic bags banned in Montenegro from today

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

Penalties for non-compliance with this legal provision range from one thousand to 40 thousand euros, writes Pobjeda.me.

The Government previously adopted a Decree on the fee paid by the seller for a light plastic shopping bag, 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 harmful effects of plastic bag use on the environment," the Government points out.

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

Bags with a wall thickness over 50 microns are not banned, 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 reports, the Agency will determine the amount of the fee, which will be paid into the Environmental Protection Fund, and these funds will be used to address certain 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 banned. These include, 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 containers.

As for the penalty policy, fines will range from 1,000 to 40,000 euros. The fines apply to business entities that put these banned products into circulation, as well as to the responsible person within 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.