Ministry sets initiative for biodegradable bags

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

The new biodegradable bags are planned to be launched to market through supermarkets and public bazaars next month, an official says. DAILY NEWS photo, Hasan ALTINISIK

The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning has started an initiative to replace plastic bags with environmentally-friendly biodegradable bags.

The new biodegradable bags are being introduced because of concerns over the environmental outcomes of mass production. They are planned to be launched to market through supermarkets and public bazaars.

Environment Management General Director Mehmet Baş said the replacement process would begin next month and added that he hoped to see support and understanding from plastic bag producers.

“There is an established style both for the plastic bag production and usage. Therefore, the replacement process necessitates a period of time. There are some biodegradable bags that include heavy chemicals in their contents,” he said. “These bags degrade in nature in two months but not without environmental damage. We want to avoid that, so we are planning to bring a standard to their manufacturing process to render them completely free of heavy chemicals by sticking with the principle that they should degrade in nature in a short period of time. However, our heart truly lies with string bags and paper bags.” Baş said production of biodegradable bags was costlier than regular plastic bags, which means that both consumers and producers will have to make some sacrifices for the sake of environmental sustainability.