DILI, 12 January 2021 (TATOLI)— The Secretary of State for Environment, of Timor-Leste,on wednesday unveiled a plan to control and operate single-use plastics in every traditional market aimed at curbing pollution effectively.
The State Secretary for the Environment, Demetrio de Amaral reiterated that operations will soon be carried out in traditional markets to identify the remaining plastic used in the market.
“We will carry out operations in the market to control the use of plastic, there are no more stocks of plastic bags in the warehouse because the remaining plastic in the warehouse has been distributed, and the local market may use the last remaining plastic distributed from warehouses,” Demetrio explained.
The Government of Timor-Leste has enacted the Zero Plastic rule, no 37/2020, which prohibits the import of plastic or significantly reduces the production and use of environmentally unfriendly plastics, and a rule to impose fines on companies caught importing plastic bags domestically.
“Timor Leste no longer imports plastic domestically, and the plastic we have found in traditional markets are the remaining plastics that were distributed from warehouses two months ago before the Government gradually banned or restricted the production, sale, and use of certain plastics, but if a supplier company continues to supply plastic, the company will pay a fine.”
Amaral also urges the residents to avoid using plastic bags to reduce the plastic waste leakage into environment.
“People must have good ethics not to poison our environment and cause various diseases to humans. All families have their responsibilities to keep their environment clean and free from disease,” he said.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B
