Algerians use 8 billion plastic carcinogenic bags annually

Ministry of Environment rejected the project of one million esparto baskets and million cloth bags instead of black bags that are traded to collect food, as this negative response is due the large costs and the lack of specialized companies, and replaced the project with making healthy plastic bags which remain valid for use, for 10 times for high financial value.

Ministry of Environment rejected the proposed project of one million esparto baskets and one million cloth bags, which raised the ire of both the union of traders, federation of bakers and confederation of associations of consumer protection, which presented a study on the project for the final elimination of plastic bags, in which Algerians put their material food, under the pretext of containing dangerous substances on the human health, especially if hot materials are put, which facilitates the penetration of substances that are dangerous on health in the food stuff.

Chairman of the Association for the Protection of consumers Zaki Ahriz told Echorouk, that their last meeting at the Environment Ministry about the project was negative, adding that the Ministry of Environment, which has a special fund for financing the projects to fight pollution, rejected such a project because of the lack of specialized companies, and higher costs of the project, although the project was approved by both the Ministry of Commerce as a party in the process of censorship, distribution and promotion of healthy bags, and the Ministry of Agriculture, which also promised to consider the project for esparto exploitation in producing natural and healthy materials and use it in manufacturing healthy bags that are free from carcinogens, as its total cost is estimated to 400 million dinars.

For his part, representative of the Union of traders and craftsmen Salah Swileh told Echorouk; “Unfortunately, we noticed recently a strong return of plastic bags in black markets, which are used even for bread and meat which has become a threat to health and environment, and this in the absence of health control”.