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This Monday the Costa Rican legislature approved in the first debate bill 20,965 that prohibits straws and some plastic bags in order to combat plastic pollution.

The project approved in the first debate had 45 votes in favor and one against and was presented by Erwen Masía, deputy of the Christian Social Unity Party (PUSC).

The proposal approved on Monday would prohibit the commercialization and free delivery of plastic bags and plastic straws in commercial places and supermarkets throughout the national territory.

Public institutions must also abide by this law. They are forbidden to buy disposable plastic items between them: knives, spoons, straws, disposable removers, cups, plates and forks.

After the law finishes being approved in the Legislative Assembly, the Executive Power must issue a regulation for this type of prohibition and will be assigned a period of 12 months to enter into force.

Failure to comply with said law will be a slight offense sanctioned by article 50 of the law on integral waste management.

It was not the desired project

For Deputy Paola Vega, who supported the project from the beginning, the approved text would only solve 0.4% of the real problem. The deputies do not yet ban plastic bottles that produce about 400 tons of waste per day.

This post is also available in: Español