Plastic bags pose risk

 NON-biodegradable plastic shopping bags pose a risk to the environment and businesses are urged to comply with the import ban, a company manager says.

General manager of Lams Trading Limited Tony Sam said whatever one did, one must consider the environment as an integral part of one’s business activities.

“Non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags is something of no economic importance to our economy,” he said.

“On the other hand, it’s hazardous to the environment, the fish and other marine and terrestrial living organisms.

“In the long term, it will affect our fisheries and marine resources which we depend on.

 And will also be a major litter problem as population and business activities continue to increase in our towns and cities.

“Therefore we must be mindful of our environment, think about our future generations and do what is right by importing plastics that are biodegradable,” Tom said.

The factory manager of Colorpak Limited Rajesh Desai supported the ban and called on State agencies to implement it.

“We have been manufacturing biodegradable plastic shopping bags since the ban was implemented, but there are many illegal importers still importing.

“As such, the manufacturing cost in Papua New Guinea is very high compared to other countries. 

And we are unable to continue manufacturing at the higher cost while some people are importing illegally.”