The Croatian Parliament passed the Waste Management Act by a majority of 75 in favor, 2 abstentions and 43 against.
After its entry into force, eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette, the placing on the market of disposable plastic products will be prohibited.
This means that products such as plastic chopsticks, earplugs, straws, cutlery, plates, straws, beverage sticks, as well as containers for food and beverages made of expanded polystyrene, including their plugs and lids, and products made of degradable plastic oxide.
From the beginning of 2022, the placement on the market of light plastic bags for carrying and packages, except for very light ones, will be prohibited, and from July 3, 2024, products with a cork or lid made of plastic will be banned.
The Animal Friends Association, which launched a campaign and petition to ban plastic bags back in 2008, welcomes the new law.
The association explains that shoppers currently use the thinnest disposable plastic bags, which are free, without thinking about how often they use them when buying only one fruit or vegetable, although they can attach a store price to a single product or buy in large quantities or wholesale.
They add that, in addition to plastic bags that suffocate animals and damage beaches and forests, their production consumes natural resources and energy by exposing production workers to toxic chemicals.
They add that, in addition to plastic bags that suffocate animals and damage beaches and forests, their production consumes natural resources and energy, exposing production workers to toxic chemicals.