Obliged to Charge for Plastic Bags from July 1 2018

The law that has been in force for some time will come into effect from July 1 2018.

Prohibits the provision of free plastic bags at the point of sales.

All the plastic bags placed on the market in the territory of the State, as well as the waste generated by said bags. Includes bags, with or without a handle, made of plastic, provided to consumers at points of sale of goods or products, including online sales and home delivery

Biodegradable plastic bags are also included as contain substances that a damaging to the environment.

Exemptions:

very light plastic bags’ means plastic bags with a thickness of less than 15 microns, which are necessary for reasons of hygiene, or which are supplied as primary packaging for bulk foods, such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, among others, when its use contributes to preventing the waste of these foods.

Also exempt are plastic bags with a thickness equal to or greater than 50 microns with a percentage equal to or greater than 70% of recycled plastic.

Prices:

price for plastic bags according to their thickness

Bags of thickness less than 15 microns intended for uses other than those listed in the definition of very light bags of article 3 d): 5 cents / bag.

Bags of thickness between 15 and 49 microns: 15 cents / bag.

Bags of thickness equal to or greater than 50 microns: 15 cents / bag.

Bags of thickness equal to or greater than 50 microns, with content equal to or greater than 50% recycled plastic but less than 70%: 10 euro cents / bag.

There are penalties for non compliance.

Further laws are to come into effect in 2020 and 2021 which will consist in diminishing the use of plastic bags further with the intention of eliminating these altogether.

Reused plastic bags:

We can find no exemption in the law for these plastic bags.

Please note: The information provided is based upon our understanding of current legislation. It is not legal advice but is provided freely to enable you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taking action, you should seek professional advice.