The so-called plastic bag directive has now been adopted in the EU. It clearly states that during 2025, all EU citizens must use a maximum of 40 plastic bags per year. If the directive becomes a regulation, it will presumably apply in Norway as well. – This means that the Norwegian authorities will not have the opportunity to adapt the scheme, but must follow it as it is, says CEO of Handelens miljøfond, Cecilie Lind. And the likelihood of the directive becoming an ordinance is high. It was Nettavisen that mentioned the case first. Handelens miljøfond says it is most environmentally friendly to buy waste bags on a roll, rather than using the plastic bags from the store. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Max 40 But then the Norwegian authorities must also decide whether the regulation is EEA-relevant or not, as Norway is not a member of the EU. – When there are new EU rules, the Norwegian authorities must decide whether they are EEA-relevant or not. As long as I have been working on this, I think almost everything about climate and the environment has been considered EEA-relevant, says Lind. Then the maximum limit of 40 bags will also apply in Norway. Cecilie Lind, general manager of Handelen’s environmental fund. Photo: Handelens Miljøfond No bag police It will be the packaging return companies that must report the figures to the Norwegian authorities – among them Handelens miljøfond. – So it is not the grocery chains that are responsible for keeping count of the number of bags sold. In 2022, Norwegians used just over 135 plastic bags each. If we are going down to 40 bags, each of us must reduce our use by almost 70 per cent in two years. – There will be no bag police tracking how many bags you have bought, assures Lind. She also adds that if you are in a family of four, the family as a whole can buy 160 plastic bags a year. 40 bags per person, regardless of age. – I am a bit skeptical Geir Pollestad (Center Party), member of the finance committee at the Storting, is not convinced that a plastic bag directive is the way to go. – I’m a little sceptical. We are positive about reducing plastic use, but we have a system in Norway where most plastic bags are reused – for example for garbage bags. Many people in Norway reuse the plastic bags from the store as rubbish bags. Photo: Oslo Municipality Pollestad says he therefore does not see the huge negative consequences of using the bags. At the same time, he is positive about more use of online shopping. – But then it is a prerequisite that they are used enough times. I don’t think everyone is as good at carrying shopping nets with them at the store, says Pollestad. Figures from Handelens miljøfond show that you have to use a nylon or polyester shopping net eight times for it to be suitable for the climate. A cotton shopping net must be used 68 times. – Of all the big and small problems we have, is a limit on the number of plastic bags per year the right place to start?, wonders Pollestad. Plastic bags filled with plastic waste picked up on a beach in Larvik in 2022. Photo: Ole Oskar Eriksen Shopping nets in polyester The best thing for the environment, according to Handelens miljøfond’s calculations, is to use shopping nets in polyester or nylon. During the municipal council and county council elections in 2019, several political parties courted people with, among other things, shopping networks. Below are pictures with effects from the Liberal Party, MDG, Center Party and SV: Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Thin waste bags And to those who use the plastic bags as garbage bags, says Remember that waste bags bought at the store are considerably better for the climate. – The waste bags you buy at the store are so thin that the amount of plastic drops significantly. When asked how the new rules will be received, Lind replies that she thinks the reception will be mixed. – It will probably vary a little. But we feel that there are many people who are concerned about plastic problems and that we must reduce the use of plastic. Lind says she knows it takes time to incorporate new habits, but that she believes that after a few months you have enough shopping nets to keep one lying around in the car, in the hallway, in your purse or rucksack.
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Plastic bag directive from the EU will also apply in Norway – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
