The use and sale of plastic bags and tableware will be penalized. After over half a year of the vote in the first reading, the MPs adopted relevant amendments and supplements to the Contravention Code in the second reading. Under the bill, the fine for private individuals will be of at most 4,500 lei, while for legal entities of at most 12,000 lei, IPN reports.

The provisions refer to the use and sale of bags with or without handle, with a thickness equal to or greater than 50 microns supplied to consumers at retail outlets, thin plastic bags with a thickness under 50 microns, except for those used as packing, and to very thin plastic bags with a thickness under 15 microns, except for those used as packing.

Penalties will also be imposed for using and selling plates, glasses and other tableware items made of plastic, except for the biodegradable ones.

Parliament earlier adopted legislation amendments and supplements by which the use and sale of plastic bags is banned as of January 1, 2019 and the use of all plastic items, except for the biodegradable ones, is completely banned as of January 1, 2021.