Following the introduction of a levy on standard plastic shopping bags, it is now reported that Italian consumers will also have to pay for lightweight plastic bags in supermarkets and grocery stores from 1 January 2018.
These bags, such as those used for fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, and bakery products, will now cost between €0.02 and €0.10, reports daily Il Messaggero.
The initiative is aimed at preventing consumers from attempting to avoid the plastic bag law by opting instead for 'inner-use bags'.
Reports say that those found in violation of will be subject to heavy fines, ranging from €2,500 to €100,000.
According to a new law, adopted in August, even lightweight bags in Italy must be biodegradable and made from at least 40% renewable raw materials.
Portuguese Packaging
Meanwhile, in Portugal, supermarkets could be forced to introduce reusable shopping bags for home deliveries.
The measure features in the preliminary version of the 2018 State Budget, according to Jornal de Negocios.
In 2015, Portugal started charging €0.08 for lightweight plastic bags. As a result, the market has adapted to the measure and retailers have started to provide recyclable, paper, or other, more resistant and reusable bags.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
