Dr. Reddy clarifies why supermarket was only given warning and not fined

The Minister for Environment, Doctor Mahendra Reddy has clarified why they only gave a warning and did not fine a supermarket in Suva on Saturday for not following the ban on single-use plastic bags which started on 1st January 2020.

When questioned by Legend FM News, Reddy says normally they caution the supermarket because they may have issues or may be confused about the ban on single-use plastic bags.

A person who manufactures a plastic bag commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 7 years or both.

A person who sells, supplies or distributes a single-use plastic bag to another person or makes a plastic bag available to a customer for carrying goods purchased, or to be purchased, from a retailer, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $150,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or both.

Customers who wish to have their purchases packed in approved plastic bags, that is 50 microns and above in thickness and has a handle, will have to pay 50 cents for a bag.

A micron is a unit of measurement with 1,000 microns in a millimetre.