Shopping bag fee charged Cases that are not obligatory December 25 19:21

From July next year, it has been decided to require retailers nationwide to pay for shopping bags. However, there were several cases in the national study meeting where charging was not mandatory.

"Bags that contribute to global warming countermeasures" and "bags that can be used repeatedly"

One of the exempted bags is a bag containing at least 25% biomass plastic made from sugarcane, corn, etc.

Because plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, burning them as garbage is not considered to increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and has been excluded from the scope of contributing to global warming countermeasures. .

In addition, bags made of 100% marine biodegradable plastic that can be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide in the sea are excluded because they are unlikely to lead to marine pollution.

Bags with a thickness of 0.05 mm or more can be used repeatedly and are excluded because they are unlikely to be disposable.

"Thin bags for storing fish, etc."

The draft guidelines indicate other cases that are not eligible for charging.

Consumers may refuse to provide bags if they do not have a handle, if the goods to be put in are not goods, if they do not conduct retail business, or if bags are used in connection with the provision of services. If you can not.

Examples of "handless bags" include thin small bags for storing fish and meat products, and bags for packing clothes so that they will not get dirty.

The "things whose contents are not commodities" are, for example, premiums, free samples, securities such as gift certificates, stamps and entrance tickets.

Examples of “not retailing as a business” include a one-off flea market listing and a cleaning bag as “when used in conjunction with the provision of services”.

And the case where the product purchased by mail order was put in the bag was judged as "when the consumer could not decline the offer of the bag". However, none of them says, "Never recommend free distribution."

"Discount instead of shopping bag" is not "paid"

The draft guidelines also show how to charge, such as the concept of the price of shopping bags. .

It also states that services that charge less than one yen per sheet or that provide some free shopping bags are not charged.

The Ministry of the Environment will establish a consultation desk in the future and respond to inquiries from businesses.