Iraq
Children walk home across a heavily polluted stream in al-Mashab in Najaf province. File photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi Ministry of Environment said late Friday that Iraq imports about $3 billion worth of plastic products annually and remains behind in developing its petrochemical industry, adding that the government is close to restricting plastic imports while imposing taxes on local production.
Luay al-Mukhtar, spokesperson of the environment ministry, told Rudaw that the country's plastic imports account for about three percent of the annual budget, while noting that the process of collecting and sorting plastic waste in Iraq is "very costly and often lacks economic profitability, which is why the private sector rarely engages in it.”
Plastic accounts for 20 to 40 percent of Iraq’s total waste - about 10,000 tons generated daily - according to Mukhtar.
The spokesperson pointed out that "the great danger" lies in short-lived and single-use plastics, such as water bottles, nylon bags, and disposable plates and spoons.
"Even on a global level, only 10 percent of plastic is recycled," Mukhtar added.
Mukhtar explained that "60 percent of global plastic production is for these types of short-lived plastics that become waste, and their micro-chemical substances enter the soil, water, and the human body."
His statement came after the newly-formed Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, issued a decision on Tuesday to ban distribution, usage, and importation of plastic bags in shops and bakeries while replacing them with biodegradable alternatives.
The Prime Minister’s office stated that the cabinet approved the “formation of a specialized committee tasked with establishing mechanisms to support and encourage sorting and recycling projects, transition toward paper bags, and investment in paper industries.”
Citing the cabinet meeting, Mukhtar added that the import of nylon bags will be completely banned and “heavy taxes” will be imposed on local production of plastics.
As an alternative, he said they want to “force” citizens to “buy cloth bags and take them along to the market, instead of throwing away nylon bags every time.”
"It is concerning that Iraq, as an oil-producing country, has not developed its petrochemical industry similar to the Gulf countries,” Mukhtar said, adding that the annual plastic waste in Iraq is around three million tons.
Despite being one of the world’s leading crude oil producers and exporters, Iraq’s petrochemical industry remains largely underdeveloped.
The Iraqi government had aimed to develop the country’s petrochemical capacity through the construction of the mega Nebras Petrochemical Project in the southern province of Basra. However, work on the plant has been suspended before completion after Shell, the British energy company, withdrew from the project in February 2024.
The $8.5 billion complex was designed to produce 1.8 million tons of petrochemicals per year.
Luay al-Mukhtar, spokesperson of the environment ministry, told Rudaw that the country's plastic imports account for about three percent of the annual budget, while noting that the process of collecting and sorting plastic waste in Iraq is "very costly and often lacks economic profitability, which is why the private sector rarely engages in it.”
Plastic accounts for 20 to 40 percent of Iraq’s total waste - about 10,000 tons generated daily - according to Mukhtar.
The spokesperson pointed out that "the great danger" lies in short-lived and single-use plastics, such as water bottles, nylon bags, and disposable plates and spoons.
"Even on a global level, only 10 percent of plastic is recycled," Mukhtar added.
Mukhtar explained that "60 percent of global plastic production is for these types of short-lived plastics that become waste, and their micro-chemical substances enter the soil, water, and the human body."
His statement came after the newly-formed Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, issued a decision on Tuesday to ban distribution, usage, and importation of plastic bags in shops and bakeries while replacing them with biodegradable alternatives.
The Prime Minister’s office stated that the cabinet approved the “formation of a specialized committee tasked with establishing mechanisms to support and encourage sorting and recycling projects, transition toward paper bags, and investment in paper industries.”
Citing the cabinet meeting, Mukhtar added that the import of nylon bags will be completely banned and “heavy taxes” will be imposed on local production of plastics.
As an alternative, he said they want to “force” citizens to “buy cloth bags and take them along to the market, instead of throwing away nylon bags every time.”
"It is concerning that Iraq, as an oil-producing country, has not developed its petrochemical industry similar to the Gulf countries,” Mukhtar said, adding that the annual plastic waste in Iraq is around three million tons.
Despite being one of the world’s leading crude oil producers and exporters, Iraq’s petrochemical industry remains largely underdeveloped.
The Iraqi government had aimed to develop the country’s petrochemical capacity through the construction of the mega Nebras Petrochemical Project in the southern province of Basra. However, work on the plant has been suspended before completion after Shell, the British energy company, withdrew from the project in February 2024.
The $8.5 billion complex was designed to produce 1.8 million tons of petrochemicals per year.
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