The proposal of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to ban the use of a number of plastic products is a positive initiative, but the restrictions should be introduced gradually and in a way that does not hurt small businesses. This opinion was expressed by Roman Pukalov, director of environmental programs of the all-Russian public organization Green Patrol, in a conversation with the editorial board of Made in Russia.

On Friday it became known that the Ministry of Environment has sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade a proposal to prohibit 28 types of disposable packaging and products for discussion with industrial companies. It is a question of a ban, including plastic opaque and colored bottles, plastic plates, tubes and cutlery.

Pukalov praised such an initiative, but pointed to the need to introduce the ban gradually and in such a way as to protect small businesses.

"In Europe, they give 1-2 years for this, so that companies could readjust, find alternative sources for production, replace the equipment. They get support there. I think we should be given such an opportunity, so that small businesses, which we have so few, do not suffer. But it should be prohibited unequivocally. Not to be rushed, not tomorrow, but, say, in 2022, it should be done," he said.

According to the expert, a ban should also be imposed on the use of disposable plastic bags.

"As for the plastic disposable tableware, cotton swabs, colored plastic - it should have been done long ago. Sergei Ivanov, presidential adviser on environmental issues, came forward with these initiatives two years ago and I deeply support him. It is something that can easily be abandoned, and alternative substitutes can be found," he concluded.

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Author: Ksenia Gustova