By Mike Puia
Gizo
WESTERN province will ban plastics as of July this year as part of its effort to be a plastic-free province.
The province is the first to impose such ban.
Premier of Western Province, Wayne Maepioh, said the plastic ban is part of the province’s plans and his administration is aggressively pursuing it.
Mr Maepioh said his administration is conscious about the environment of the province therefore the need to impose such restriction.
“The plastic free campaign which has been aggressively pursued will now reach its phase two for implementation.
“Effective as of July 1, 2018 Western Province will effect the banning of plastic shopping bags in markets and shops.”
He said the ban on plastic will includes ice-block plastics.
Maepioh revealed there is another ban planned on water bottles.
He said it is a separate ban that his administration will also follow up on.
“The issue relating to water bottles will be further pursued. But, for the meantime, the sale of plastic shopping bags and ice block especially in Gizo market and all markets elsewhere in the Province will be ceased,” Maepioh said.
He said this ban would give the women of the province a lucrative business opportunity to tap.
“This am sure will give women the opportunity to weave baskets or to sew shopping bags, a lucrative business,” Maepioh said.
