JohnF13 Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 Was just in Rey today. Sign said plastic bags 5 cents, reusable ones 25 cents. While I agree with cutting down on plastic, this idea was very poorly thought out. What do I put my meat and veggies in? Seems like the supermarkets will be making out like bandits on this law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 11, 2019 Author Moderators Share Posted September 11, 2019 Quote Losses due to Plastic Bag Prohibition In Panama is reported a fall of between 25% and 30% in the national production of polyethylene bags in the last month and a half, because of the entry into force of the law that prohibits its use. Monday, September 9, 2019 The use of plastic bags is banned in the first instance for supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail outlets. In the case of wholesalers, the use of free polyethylene bags will be implemented from January 20, 2020. The businessmen of the sector believe that the law did not give time to manufacturers to adapt to the amendment, which has been in force since July 20 of this year. You may be interested in "Plastic: What Companies Are Doing Business in Panama?” Cristóbal Siu, member of the Association of Plastics Manufacturers of Panama, explained to Panamaamerica.com.pa that "... We have diversified into other lines in order to continue subsisting and has required additional sacrifice for the economic situation in which the country finds itself. We've had to lay off staff and make other adjustments to stay in the market." Siu added that "... It would be better to wait one or two more years to implement the law and not affect the manufacturers. Now they have information of the closing of a factory and possibly another one is also about to close." It is estimated that in the country were manufactured annually about 10 million plastic bags and that imports amounted to 500 tons of bags. https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Losses_due_to_Plastic_Bag_Prohibition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 46 minutes ago, Moderator_02 said: s estimated that in the country were manufactured annually about 10 million plastic bags and that imports amounted to 500 tons of bags. Two different units of measurement make it difficult to get the picture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siempre Soluciones Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cutting Edge Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 What will people use to pick up doggie doodoo?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 1 hour ago, The Cutting Edge said: What will people use to pick up doggie doodoo?? Biodegradable bags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Siempre Soluciones said: Some people seemingly have a problem for every solution. Ocean pollution is a global crisis. First world countries should be leading by example, not by finger pointing at others while shunning their own responsibilities. Some of these topics were covered in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement which the U.S. abandoned and is now defunct. Edited September 11, 2019 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siempre Soluciones Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 17 hours ago, Keith Woolford said: Some people seemingly have a problem for every solution. Ocean pollution is a global crisis. First world countries should be leading by example, not by finger pointing at others while shunning their own responsibilities. Some of these topics were covered in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement which the U.S. abandoned and is now defunct. Keith, You're correct, leading by example is one way to get people to conform. However, for decades first world nations especially in North America and Europe have implemented stringent pollution controls on fossil fueled vehicles as well as power plants in addition to enforcing strict recycling policies and it appears that third world and developing nations have not followed suit. Perhaps more time is needed. As for the TPP, that along with the Paris Accord was a big loser for the United States hence their lack of participation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twin Wolf Technology Group Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 I do not think anyone is arguing that there isn't a problem, nor that something shouldn't be done. To look at the problem realistically and then to say well lets ban plastic straws is a kin to trying to lower the level of the ocean with an eyedropper. To efficiently target the problem and actually make a difference, it is necessary to look at what plastic items are the biggest contributors. Certainly plastic straws are not a big contributor. It is laughable to say "well at least they are doing SOMETHING". Panama is probably doing more by banning the plastic bags than California is doing by banning plastic straws. Just because you are "doing something" does not mean you are making a meaningful difference. Also, I do not personally buy the argument that the US or "First World Countries" need to lead the way and that everyone else will just simply follow. This is just finger pointing in the other direction and is just as unhelpful as saying other countries are worse. There are many, many things a person can point to where the rest of the world did not follow the lead of first world countries. The cultures and economics are so vastly different that it is simply not possible even if they wanted to do it. The real solution is to create a bigger demand for environmentally friendly alternatives than there currently is for plastic. Putting money and research into developing such alternatives is much more constructive. You change the supply by changing the demand. If the demand for environmentally friendly alternatives outweighs the demand for plastic you take a great step forward in fixing the problem. The latest insanity is that now they are making sippy cups for adults as an alternative to plastic straws. Of course the cup and the new sippy top is made of .... plastic... and probably more plastic than was used to make the straw. Some solutions just suck. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF13 Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Banning plastic bags is a very small contribution, but nevertheless is a contribution. I might disagree with Dan in that it needs "first world countries" to lead. Look at the industrial strength plastic that surrounds a lot of products these days. You need a chain saw to get into that stuff! If the companies using it were subject to penalties, then a change could quickly happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Twin Wolf Technology Group said: the argument that the US or "First World Countries" need to lead the way and that everyone else will just simply follow. That's right, Dan. Everyone will not just simply follow. That's the reason that international agreements on a myriad of issues which have a global effect are required. Edited September 12, 2019 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hil Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 oil oil oil...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Atwater Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 On 9/11/2019 at 11:32 AM, Keith Woolford said: Biodegradable bags Keith, some time back you posted that PriceSmart had the biodegradable bags and you even posted a picture. I have yet to find them in PriceSmart. On Thursday I asked a young employee about where they would be WHEN they got more. He said right where the other plastic bags are. Was that the location where you had found them? Dottie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 (edited) Same location as garbage bags Edited September 14, 2019 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Atwater Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Thanks, Keith. I don't go to David/Price Smart very often, but I'll keep looking when I do go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Instead of banning plastic bags for these merchants and grocers, the laws should require the bags to be biodegradable. That way, residents would still have bags to clean up dog and cat poop, and you wouldn't have the unhealthy dirty cloth grocery bags which get contaminated by meat pretty easily. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siempre Soluciones Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 On 9/13/2019 at 7:18 PM, Dottie Atwater said: Keith, some time back you posted that PriceSmart had the biodegradable bags and you even posted a picture. I have yet to find them in PriceSmart. On Thursday I asked a young employee about where they would be WHEN they got more. He said right where the other plastic bags are. Was that the location where you had found them? Dottie Dottie, Don't worry, you're not going crazy! I was at Pricesmart last week and again yesterday and both times I checked both of the areas where they stock plastic bags. I unfortunately found none, I guess they must have run out of stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 https://www.rover.com/blog/truth-about-biodegradable-poop-bags-in/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Traynor Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 Of course, we could just leave all the entirely natural, rapidly bio-degradable dog poop where it falls, or pass laws requiring that all dog owners teach their pets to use the toilet in the house or a cat litter box. : ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted October 16, 2019 Author Moderators Share Posted October 16, 2019 Quote ENVIRONMENT: Bill aims to reduce single use plasics Bill aims to reduce sights like this Posted 15/10/2019 A National Assembly Subcommittee on Population, Environment and Development is meeting to analyze a draft bill to regulate the reduction and replacement of single-use plastics by 2021. Tania Arosemena, from the Marviva Foundation, urged both consumers and the various sectors of society to provide their input and ideas on the initiative. The initiative presented by the deputy Edison Broce, seeks to reduce the use of single-use plastic materials. https://www.newsroompanama.com/environment/environment-bill-aims-to-reduce-single-use-plasics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted October 22, 2019 Author Moderators Share Posted October 22, 2019 Quote 32 businesses fined for flouting plastic bag rules Posted 20/10/2019 Panama’s Consumer Protection Authority (Acodeco) fined 32 businesses for flouting rules governing the use of plastic bags in the first three months of the program which prohibits the use of bags polyethylene plastics for the transport of merchandise in pharmacies, department stores, supermarkets, and mini-supermarkets. The measure excludes restaurants and laundries. The fines imposed on businesses amount to $8,200, and the main causes are related to the breach of the certificate of conformity and non-declaration of reusable bag costs. In order to use a plastic bag, businesses must have a certification that guarantees that the material they are offering to the consumer does not contain polyethylene, and the cost of reusable bags must be clearly displayed to the public. The main offending businesses are department stores, pharmacies and clothing, and footwear stores, says Acodeco. With the measure that promotes the use of reusable materials, the presence of plastic bags on the Panamanian coasts decreased, according to Mirei Endara, former environment minister and current director of Panama Green Tide. On September 28, after a solid waste collection process through the floating barrier installed in the Matías Hernández River, which prevents waste from reaching the sea, no plastic bags appeared. "In three months we have seen a big difference," said Endara. It is estimated that 102,299 tons of waste ends up in Panama’s rivers and seas annually. Currently, the main polluting materials are plastic bottles and foam. Some 30,00 tons of plastic bottles reach the Panamanian coast every year. A bill to enable the use of recycled plastic in the construction rehabilitation and improvements of secondary streets in Panama is hung up in administrative limbo. The project was discussed and approved in the third debate, but not sanctioned in the last legislative period of the past Government. https://www.newsroompanama.com/environment/32-businesses-fined-for-flouting-plastic-bag-rules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted January 14, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted January 14, 2020 Quote 2nd phase of plastic bag exit program Posted 13/01/2020 Panama continues to combat the use of plastic bags and on January 20, the second phase of Law 1 of January 19, 2018, which includes supermarkets, pharmacies, and wholesalers, will operate. The National Director of Environmental Verification, Miguel Flores, explained that, since the implementation of the regulations, through the l Customs Authority, there was a 54% reduction off of plastic bags entering Panama From January 20, when the law begins to govern, the Consumer Protection and Authority (Acodeco), will verify that businesses comply with the rules said Gabriel Pérez of the verification department. Between July and December, last year fines of $11,400 were, applied for breach of the rule, where the main lack of the declaration of the cost of bags. In addition to the certificate of conformity, which specifies that the bags do not have polyethylene. Supermarkets do not profit from the sale, Panama was the first country in the region to implement regulations to prohibit the use of plastic bags and now Costa Rica has followed suit. https://www.newsroompanama.com/environment/2nd-phase-of-plastic-bag-exit-program Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted January 16, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted January 16, 2020 Quote Panama steps up fight against plastic Wholesale outlets must now conform Posted 15/01/2020 The use of polyethylene plastic in wholesale warehouses that distribute merchandise will be prohibited, from Monday, January 20. The regulation applies to businesses that sell merchandise in volumes. Users should look for new alternatives, as was the case with reusable bags used in supermarkets, pharmacies and retail stores since July 20, 2019, when the first phase of the legislation banning the use of plastic bags was introduced. “There are shops that have made their bags biodegradable or soluble. Reusable bags are sold in stores from $ 0.06 to $ 1.37, according to a price list of the consumer Protection Authority (Acodeco). To be able to market the reusable bags, retail stores must clearly display the cost of the bags to the public. In the case of plastic bags, they must have a certification that guarantees that the material does not contain polyethylene. For breaching thee regulations, Acodeco has sanctioned 44 stores for an amount of $11,600, mainly to pharmacies, supermarkets, mini-stores and clothing and footwear stores According to a report by the Inter-American Development Bank, 4,800 tons of garbage are produced every day in Panama, 2,500 of them in Panama City. However, only 5% of the waste is recycled, although 70% of the waste can be reused with a calculated value of $ 47 million. Meanwhile, the National Customs Authority reports that since the implementation of the regulations the import of plastic bags to the country has been reduced by 54%. https://www.newsroompanama.com/environment/panama-steps-up-fight-against-plastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted October 24, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted October 24, 2020 Quote ENVIRONMENT: Assemby approves Bill eliminating single use plastics Posted 23/10/2020 The replacement of single-use plastics in Panama will begin in 2021 according to a law that received third reading in the National National Assembly on Thursday, October 22..The bill which had previously established a series of incentives and exemptions was vetoed by the Executive Branch, The project will be aimed at the progressive replacement of single-use plastic articles by products manufactured with reusable, recyclable or biodegradable materials such as ear swabs, covers for laundry clothes, packaging for eggs, disposable stirrers. , plastic rods to hold balloons, toothpicks, cocktail sticks, plastic candy sticks, rings for cans and disposable plates. Replacement of single-use plastics with options labeled degradable plastic is prohibited. The prohibitions for the use of single-use plastic products within institutional purchases would come into force on January 1, 2021. While in general commerce they would apply as of. July 2021. The proponent of the project, Independent the deputy Edison Broce explained that after the veto of article 19, the only thing that was done on this occasion was to eliminate this article to ensure that the document, which was in an advanced stage, was finalized." With the elimination of article 19, there will no longer be excuses for the Executive Branch to veto this project," said Broce. The proposal seeks to avoid excessive environmental contamination of natural resources and attract investment from recycling companies. If it becomes law the initiative would join the rule that eliminated the use of plastic bags in shops in the country, to replace them with reusable bags made with biodegradable material.Broce assures that the exaggerated use of single-use plastic has had a negative environmental impact in recent years in many countries, and Panama does not escape this sad reality. https://www.newsroompanama.com/environment/environment-assemby-approves-bill-eliminating-single-use-plastics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted December 26, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted December 26, 2020 Quote ENVIRONMENT: Panama moves to end single use plastics "Worldwide, 91% of plastics of all kinds are not recycled, and of that figure 50% is for single use" Posted 25/12/2020 In July 2021 Panama will lead the region with the start of a three-phase program to eliminate single-use plastics and replace them with products manufactured with reusable, recyclable, biodegradable or compostable materials. The first phase affects 11 items: plastic ear swabs, plastic covers for laundry clothes, plastic rods, to hold balloons, plastic toothpicks, plastic cocktail sticks, plastic candy sticks, and can rings. In the second, which begins in July 2022, there are plastic packaging for eggs, disposable plastic stirrers and disposable plastic plates. The third and last begins on December 31, 2023 for plastic reeds. "When we established the various times, we had a consensus, since those that come into force in July 2021 are the ones that hit the Panamanian industry the least, but already in 2022 and 2023 those that do impact enter," said the independent deputy and proponent of the law, Edison Broce, The standard prohibits the replacement of single-use plastics with options labeled as biodegradable plastics. In addition, it exempts plastic reeds that must be used for the provision of medical services, making them only available with a medical prescription. It also allows the Panama Canal Authority to dictate its own internal policies for the reduction and replacement of single-use products according to what is most feasible and convenient for the operation of the Canal and its water security. https://www.newsroompanama.com/environment/environment-panama-moves-to-end-single-use-plastics-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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