A smaller-scale ban targeting bakeries had been issued early in May, due primarily to health concerns surrounding the packaging on freshly-baked bread in plastic.
Still widely used and with an estimated biodegradation time of 15-20 years, plastic bags also pose serious environmental concerns.
A first violation of the rule by a shop or restaurant will result in a fine, while continued violations could result in a premises being shut down altogether.
Paper bags currently available in the Kurdistan Region’s markets are imported from neighboring Iran and Turkey. To accommodate for the inevitably exponential rise in paper bag use, authorities are setting up paper bag factories, due to be up and running within the next few days.
Prompted by the announcement of the ban, some in the private sector have already begun opening factories of their own.
In efforts to dramatically cut down or even eradicate plastic bag usage, some countries, including Morocco, have issued nationwide bans, while others have imposed per-bag charges.
The spread of bans is showing no signs of relenting, with Iraq's ministries of health and environment confirming a pilot ban on their use in Baghdad this month.
Reacting to the ban on social media, Blend Karam asked when the ban will be extended to the use of plastic water bottles which “are known to be toxic.”
Ranj Talabany took to Twitter to express a wish for the ban to be expanded on, emphasizing the environmental harm plastic bag use causes.
Wish that not only bakeries but all stores were forced into getting rid of plastic bags and using paper bags instead. Kurdistan is fast becoming a big garbage dump. So sad when we have such beautiful land but no love for the land itself. https://t.co/JqHWVHlKqc
— Ranj Talabany (@ranj_talabany) July 29, 2019
Reporting by Saman Basharati, translation by Sarkawt Mohammed
