TOKYO, July 2 (NNN-NHK) – Starting July 1 (yesterday) Japanese businesses and retailers throughout the country began charging a small fee for plastic bags per law from the government.
This is considered to be a step forward in helping reduce plastic waste from Japan, and to increase consumer awareness about the negative environmental effects of too much plastic usage.
From supermarkets to convenience stores, to individual shops, most businesses in Japan will now have to ask for a small fee for plastic bags at check-out.
Although a large number of grocery store chains and retailers already charge for bags, this is the first large-scale order from the government. Stores must sell their plastic bags for one yen or more – customers can likely expect to pay between 5 and 10 yen per bag.
However, a number of plastics provided by retailers, like plastic grocery bags without handles (used for perishable items), plastic bags for holding merchandise samples, and plastic bags for tax-exempt items, among other bags, will not be charged for.– NNN-NHK
