Plastic bag ban in France begins

France has begin the two-stage process to ban the use of single use plastic bags. In the first step, which went into effect July 1, supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries, gas stations and covered and open-air markets are prohibited from using lightweight shopping bags that are used one time will be banned. However, plastic bags thicker than 50 microns will be allowed on the basis they are reusable.

The decree banning the disposable plastic bags was published on March 31, 2016.

In the second stage, scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2017, the ban will go into effect for packaging bags for fruits and vegetables.

Meanwhile, the plastic bag ban will encourage the use of a bioplastic compostable bag. The French decree notes that starting January 1, 2017 only bio-based bags, which include vegetable matter content that is compostable, will be allowed.