Egyptian Parliament member Anissa Hassouna has submitted a proposal to abolish the use of plastic bags in Egypt to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Environment. The news, which was reported online by various local news outlets, highlighted Hassouna’s interest in replacing the envinromentally-harmful use of plastic bags for bags which are more eco-friendly. Egypt uses 12 billion plastic bags annually which not only constitutes an economic strain as raw material for plastic bag production are imported, but an environmental crisis as well. Plastic causes severe problems to the Nile river and the seas. Hence, it negatively affects environmental tourism and diving. The MP stressed the non-recyclability of plastic bags and their incapacity for quick decomposition which eventually results in their presence in seas and rivers, polluting and altering aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, the Parliamentarian highlighted the adverse effects of these plastic bags being burned along with other garbage, as is a common waste practice in Egypt, on human health. Instead, she suggests paper bags or bags made from eco-friendly materials as already some chains and supermarkets have started doing which is offering cloth ‘multiple use’ bags or recyclable grocery…
Egyptian MP Proposes Abolishing Plastic Bags in Favour of Eco-Friendly Alternatives
June 11, 2019
