A possible ban on plastic bags in Ukraine has become one of the main topics of the VIII International Business Forum "Polymer Club," which took place on February 15 in Kiev.
Let’s remind that the eligible bill was developed in the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine. During the January the issue was actively discussed in media. However, polymer processors complained to the Association “Ukrainian Polymeric Industry Representatives Council” about one-sided coverage of the problem: in the articles and TV materials their opinion was not regarded (only officials, environmentalists and retailers spoke publicly).
Defending the rights of polymer processors, the founders of Association CUPI decided to discuss the issue at "Polymer club." The event was attended by more than 80 people - the owners, management team, leading technical experts at packaging manufacturers. On Association CUPI’s invitation the discussion joined the head of land improvement and municipal service Department at the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Alexander P. Ignatenko, who is the author of the resonanced bill.
The Ministry official stated that one of the reasons that urged him on developing the bill was the flood in Carpatho-Ukraine in 2010, which he had witnessed. Among the main factors that caused the disaster, Mr. Ignatenko called plastic bags that had clogged drainage system. He also emphasized that legislative innovation he proposed is supported by the public.
In their answer the polymer industry’s representatives cited as an example the experience of Western countries, where the development of any legislative innovation takes place when the technical and material base of the issue is taken into account. Employers also said that the analysis of the impact of innovations on the economic environment in Ukraine is not contained in the explanatory note. The adoption of the bill, according to polymer market players, will lead to the closure of a number of companies and jobs losses. To change the appropriate standards of production it is at least 3 years that are required, - business owners stated. Also, the business forum participants emphasized that in considering this issue it is important to change public consciousness about waste issues, rather than use a simple ban on plastic packaging. For example, in Germany, where the law allows plastic bags, it is cleaner on the streets than in China, where despite a restriction on the production of packages, they can often be seen scattered in the streets.
The representative of the Ministry of Construction and Housing Utilities of Ukraine thanked the participants for discussion and expressed his willingness to listen to the comments and suggestions from experts of the polymer industry.
The talks resulted in the joint statement signed by polymer market participants expressing their "peremptory disagreement to the purview stated in the bill "On the limitation of production, use, import and distribution of plastic packaging in Ukraine". It is said in the statement that the project is "inopportune and causes substantial harm to the economic environment in Ukraine." The document is sent to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, as well as to the corresponded Ministries.
Before bringing into the Parliament the bill may be discussed at public hearings. Thus, during the "Polymer Club" the first detailed discussion of government’s legislative initiative took place.
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