Minc is studying measures to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Agência Brasil - The Rio de Janeiro State Environment Secretariat is studying measures to reduce the use of plastic bags in markets in the state. The information was given by the secretary of the department, Carlos Minc, during an inspection carried out today (3) in commercial establishments of this kind, in the center and in the south zone of the capital of Rio de Janeiro.

Minc believes that, in order to change the population's attitude, it is necessary to encourage the purchase of reusable bags. To this end, the secretary will meet with business owners in the sector and representatives of bag manufacturers to request that more units be produced, thus reducing production costs.

According to Minc, the lower price of reusable bags, coupled with an awareness campaign in supermarkets, is crucial. "Ideally, you'd have a bag costing less than R$1. That would be a very interesting incentive. The hardest part is changing people's behavior, and for that, you need information," he said.

According to the secretary, since the implementation of the Plastic Bag Law in Rio, more than 2 billion used supermarket bags have been removed from the environment. This material contributes to the silting up of rivers and clogs sewage and storm drains. Annually, the Environment Secretariat invests approximately R$ 40 million in cleaning streams and canals.

In effect for three years, the law guarantees customers a discount of R$ 0,03 for every five items purchased, provided the consumer forgoes plastic bags. The law also stipulates that commercial establishments are required to display, in a clearly visible location, a notice explaining how the benefit works and informing customers that discounts are given even without their request. Failure to comply may result in the establishment being fined.