Mexico City begins 2021 with ban on single-use plastics

Mexico City on Friday launched a ban on single-use plastics following a year-long preparation.
Lawmakers handed the ban on plastic luggage, utensils and different disposable plastic gadgets in 2019, aiming to cut back non-biodegradable plastics and hoping to show Mexico’s capital right into a extra sustainable metropolis.
The new legislation took impact final yr. The metropolis of 9 million individuals, one of many world’s largest, has spent the previous yr adjusting to the adjustments.
In an announcement, metropolis authorities declared that “the commercialization, distribution and delivery of single-use plastic products is prohibited” as of January 1.

Mexico City’s environmental secretary introduced on Twitter Friday that “from today on Mexico City is without single-use plastics” and known as on individuals to contemplate at all times carrying reusable containers.
The ban consists of single-use containers, forks, straws, cotton swabs, disposable plastic cups, plastic stirrers, single-use espresso capsules and balloons amongst different gadgets.
Urging citizen assist
Greenpeace’s Ornela Garelli lauded the ban as “a good measure, even in times of the pandemic.”
“To be effective, the measure requires the support of citizens … to transform our consumption habits and strive towards more sustainable lifestyles,” the activist instructed Spanish information company EFE.
“We also have a very important role in ensuring that the ban is actually enforced,” she added.
But with out the imposition of fines, a whole finish to single-use plastics appears unlikely. Mexico City authorities have indicated that throughout the first months of the measure no fines shall be imposed and that they’ll first give attention to informing residents.

At the nook of a busy Mexico City avenue, a road meals vendor promoting tamales was seen handing out the standard Mesoamerican dish to prospects with plastic spoons and a plastic bag. She instructed the Associated Press that as a result of coronavirus, authorities “forgot about it (the ban).”
Last yr alone, Mexico City produced round 13,000 tons of rubbish per day, based on the capital’s environmental company. The metropolis additionally produces greater than 7 million tons of plastic per yr. Around 48% of it’s used for packaging and whereas a lot of it’s recyclable, a variety of the supplies doesn’t find yourself being recycled.