The utilization and sale of plastic bags and dishware are banned as of January 1, 2021 and the violation of this ban should be punished. PAS MP Dumitru Alaiba, who initiated these legal provisions, stated for IPN that if plastic bags and containers continue to be sold, this shows the current Government and the subordinate institutions are unable to implement a rather clear and appropriate law. He noted that the main players from this market could pursue particular interests. The MP will ask for information about the actions taken to enforce this law from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Dumitru Alaiba noted that for a law to work, it should be implemented. The Government transposes the law to Government decisions, distributes internal instructions, makes orders and gives instructions to the subordinate institutions, if necessary. There are devised guidebooks and trained inspectors who explain to the business entities and the people so that the law works. The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for the implementation of the law banning the use of plastic bags that was adopted in Parliament unanimously. But the institution preferred to do something else.

“The Government and the subordinate institutions gave one more reason to make us believe that they are unable to do something. If they cannot implement such a simple provision, to enforce such an exact law, can you image them being able to manage a pandemic or do reforms? Or the explanation resides in corruption,” stated the MP.

He noted that insistence is needed so that the institutions do their job and do not shift the blame onto the people, by arguing that these do not obey the law. Or particular interests of market players that make money from these plastic containers are being promoted.

The law provides that the private individuals will be fined up to 4,500 lei as from January 1, 2021 for using and selling plastic bags and dishware. The legal entities will be fined up to 12,000 lei.