From July 1, the implementation of fines for retailers who continue to use disposable plastic bags in Albania begins. The news was given by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro through a post on social networks. Kumbaro urges citizens to use paper bags for their shopping. 

“The pleasure of paper bags in the day shopping! And do not forget, from July 1 begins the implementation of fines that the law provides for retailers who continue to use disposable plastic bags! So say no to plastic bags. We are cleaning Albania", writes Kumbaro. 

From June 1, disposable bags were removed from use, production and import, to be replaced with thicker bags, up to 70 microns thick, which are recyclable. 

The legal advisor at the Ministry of Environment, Elvis Tosuni explained the punitive measures for the subjects in which violations will be found. 

"The fine will not be progressive but with a scale, which is provided in such a way as to give seriousness to the violation and to prevent it. If it is found that a subject after June 1 uses bags that are not versatile according to the new parameters, will be fined with 500 thousand ALL and with the seizure of prohibited plastic bags. In case the same violation is found for the second time, it will be fined with 1 million ALL and with sequestration of plastic bags. If the same subject is re-checked and the same violation is found, it is punished with a fine of 1.5 million ALL, sequestration of plastic bags and a proposal for revocation of the permit or license with which it conducts economic activity", said Tosuni.