By Staff Reporter — MUSCAT: April 25 - A Majlis Ash’shura committee on Monday discussed a suggestion from a member on imposing a fee on the purchase of plastic products such as cans and bags, which can be redeemed on return of these products to the shop after use. As per the reports, the proposal was aimed at reducing the consumption of plastic products, apart from encouraging their recycle/reuse to minimise the damages caused to the environment. The committee also discussed the possibility of recycling plastic materials in a scientific way based on the studies conducted by specialised research institutions, apart from suggestions to impose fees.
As per a report by World Watch Institute, around 20 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans each year with over 5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing a total of 250,000 tonnes currently floating in the world’s oceans. These plastic debris result in loses worth billions from damage to marine ecosystems, fisheries and tourism. It is also reported nearly four to five per cent of the petroleum consumed worldwide each year is used to make plastic and similar amount to power plastic manufacturing processes.
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