The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment told Sputnik on Monday that it backed retail chains plans to completely refrain from the use of plastic bags due to pollution concerns.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th August, 2018) The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment told Sputnik on Monday that it backed retail chains plans to completely refrain from the use of plastic bags due to pollution concerns.
Earlier in the day, the Retail Companies Association (ACORT), which includes chain stores such as Auchan and Metro Cash&Carry, among others that operate in Russia, told Sputnik that the retailers were considering the prospect of banning plastic bags, although not all companies were ready to take this step.
"The Russian Environment Ministry supports the initiatives of retail chains aimed at reducing stockpiles of plastic waste. Today, the chain stores account for the lion's share of sales of goods in packages that become waste after consumption," the ministry said.
The ministry went on to commend the positive effect of such initiatives, which will strengthen the ecological responsibility of businesses and may even open new opportunities for business development.
The movement against the use of plastic in Russia has been gaining momentum in the recent years as a number of major retail chains publicly announced their decision to forego the free distribution of plastic bags to consumers or switched to biodegradable materials.
