The anti-plastic bag law will take effect on November 18, i.e. 90 days after the date of the law’s promulgation, according to an announcement published in the Official Gazette (BO) on Monday, in accordance with Law No. 16/2019 on Restrictions on the Distribution of Plastic Bags.
Violators of the law will be fined 1,000 patacas.
The aim of the law is to reduce the adverse impact on the environment with the use of plastic carrier bags in the retail sector, according to the Official Gazette.
The law stipulates that the amount to be charged for each plastic carrier bag shall be determined by order of the chief executive. The government has previously indicated that each bag would cost 1 pataca.
However, there are two situations in which no charge will be levied. Firstly, for unpacked food products or medicines. Secondly, for products subject to safety restrictions on air passengers’ hand luggage.
According to the Macau Post Daily, the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) will be tasked with enforcing the new law. In particular, it will monitor the retail sector’s records of charging shoppers for their plastic carrier bags.
The bureau will fine retail businesses which provide plastic carrier bags free-of-charge to customers, 1,000 patacas for each free bag they give out. Moreover, retail outlets that fail to cooperate in enforcing the law will face a fine of 10,000 patacas.
