An action plan on reducing plastic waste, drawn up a task force formed by the Minister of Environment, envisions a total ban on single use plastic items.

On January 1 2020 the sale plastic cutlery, cups, dishes and drinking straws will be banned, and a ban on plastic shopping bags on January 1 2021. Cosmetics that include microplastic beads will also be banned on January 1 2020.

In an effort to reduce the use of plastic packaging businesses will be encouraged to use less plastic while grocery stores will be encouraged to offer customers who bring their own containers the opportunity to buy items in bulk without plastic packaging. The government will also launch a campaign to raise awareness among consumers about ways to reduce the use plastic.

The state and municipalities will work with businesses to increase the collection and recycling of plastic waste. Tax incentives would be used to encourage greater recycling.

Source: icelandmag.is

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