On 25 March, during the regular sitting in the National Assembly the Minister of Environment Eric Grigoryan presented the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Trade and Services.
Eric Grigoryan noted that it is foreseen to prohibit the use of polyethylene sacks and bags with a thickness of 50 microns from 1 January, 2022 (with the exception of sacks and bags made from secondary raw materials).
The draft notes that widespread use of polyethylene sacks and bags in the sphere of trade and service in the Republic of Armenia has led to environmental problems. The plastic kits which are thrown after the use are remain for a long time and are not biodegradable, which leads to permanent pollution. The average usage of polyethylene bags up to 50 microns in thickness is 10-15 minutes, and it takes more than 400 years to degrade in nature. International research organizations have already published data showing the presence of micro plastics not only in water and soil resources, but also in living organisms and foodstuffs, even in raindrops. The used water products, including polyethylene packages and their residues, contaminate the water areas of the Republic of Armenia, areas adjacent to resorts and tourist sites. Used polyethylene packages and/or their residues are contaminated areas near the basins of Yerevan, Gegharkunik, Lori, Armavir, Kotayk and Shirak marzes, where there is a large accumulation of plastic waste, resorts and resorts and tourist areas. According to the OSCE assessment, plastic containers, bottles and bags are the main water pollutants in Armenia. Used polyethylene packages and/or their residues are contaminated areas near the basin of Yerevan, Gegharkunik, Lori, Armavir, Kotayk and Shirak marzes, where there is a large accumulation of plastic waste, resorts and resorts and tourist areas. According to the OSCE assessment, plastic containers, bottles and bags are the main water pollutants in Armenia.
The current situation is also due to insufficient development of environmental culture in the society and with this initiative it is envisaged to change the behavior of consumers through economic levers, which will make the consumer use alternative (environmentally and human health safe), multiple use bags and bags.
Studies of international experience on the issue have shown that about 120 countries have already adopted national regulatory measures for the use of plastic waste management, in particular economic instruments (environmental taxes, fees, minimum price setting, etc.). The issue of environmental taxation in the Republic of Armenia is not expedient, as the tax rate of the RA can be applied only by the specific EAEU Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity code, but the current codes cannot separate the products by membrane thickness and final consumption area and volumes of use of products harmful to human life and health are not intended to increase the tax burden on businesses. Therefore, it is appropriate to prohibit the provision of such products by retailers and sole proprietors, as well as by individuals who are not sole proprietors. In order to ensure effective control over the restrictions on the use of polyethylene sacks and bags, there is also a need to clarify the notion of ‘wrapping’, which will allow to minimize the uncertainties that may arise in the exercise of control by the relevant authorities and the possible corruption risks arising therefrom. The list of secondary raw materials has already been established by the Government Decision N136-N of 16 February, 2017.
