The Consumer Council of Fiji has warned traders not to charge the new plastic bag levy before 1st January next year.

Consumer Council CEO Seema Shandil says the announcement of the ban in high density plastic bags and the increase in price of low‑density polythene plastic bags from 20 cents to 50 cents from 1st January 2020 is encouraging.

While delivering the 2019/2020 National Budget, Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that the plastic bags that are normally used at supermarkets will be banned from 1st January, 2020.

Styrofoam containers will also be phased out by 1st January, 2021.

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