New year and new measures. From this first of January The ban on the marketing, distribution and delivery of single-use plastics came into force, also known as disposables, in all establishments in Mexico City.
The local government seeks that with this measure the consumption of non-biodegradable plastics is reduced, making the city is sustainable, in addition to contributing to improvement of the environment.
In the reforms and additions of the Solid Waste Law capitalino, published on June 25, 2019 in the Official Gazette of Mexico City, the purpose of combating disposable plastic products was indicated.
“The commercialization, distribution and delivery of single-use plastic products will be prohibited,” said the rule.
Thus, it was established that the following plastic products will be prohibited from this day:
– Forks
– Knives
– Spoons
– Mixing sticks
– Dishes
– Straws or straws
– Single-use coffee capsules
– Cotton swabs
– Balloons and rods for these
– Glasses and their lids
– Trays to transport food
– Tampon applicators, “Made wholly or partially of plastics, designed for disposal after a single use, except those that are compostable.”
With this, the second stage of said Law would begin, which stops the commercialization, distribution and delivery of single-use plastics promoted by the Ministry of the Environment (Sedema) of the metropolis.
It should be remembered that the legislation entered in 2020 with the prohibition of the sale, distribution and delivery of plastic bags in all establishments in Mexico City.
Although the new measure is already in force, the capital authorities have indicated that during the first months of transition, no sanctions will be applied, on the contrary, they will seek to inform and adapt citizens.
According to the Law, Manufacturers that continue to distribute single-use plastic bags may be subject to fines ranging from 84.44 pesos to 168,980 pesos.
In accordance with EFE, In recent years, Greenpeace has demanded that Mexico find robust legislation at the national level that prohibits the use of single-use plastics due to its serious impact on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Of the 32 states that make up the Mexican Republic, at least 20 have not authorized restricting the use of this type of plastics, including Baja California, Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Sonora, Durango, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosí.
In addition, Jalisco, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, and Mexico City have modified their laws to prohibit or regulate the use of plastic bags, straws (straws) or Styrofoam items ( Polystyrene foam).
According to figures from different organizations consulted by EFE, in Mexico each family on average discards 650 plastic bags per year, whose useful time has been estimated at 15 minutes, while its degradation requires a minimum of 100 years.
Although environmentalists point out that the disuse of plastic will help climate conditions not worsen with pollution, it is also estimated that The measures will leave thousands of people unemployed who must provide for their families.
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