Ministry issues update on plastic bag ban in Oman

Muscat: Oman is working to complete the regulation on the ban of plastic bags, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs said on Thursday.
In an online statement, the ministry said: "The ministry is currently working to complete the regulation on the use of plastic bags to biodegradable ones to limit their hazards on the environment and human health, as well as the sustainability of the ecological system and biodiversity in coordination with other competent authorities."
"After studying the market and the types of bags, the decision will see the light of day soon after the final approval from the specifications and standards committee at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry," said an official at the ministry had earlier said.
A manager of a supermarket chain told the Times of Oman that around 75,000 to 80,000 plastic bags are consumed in a day at his branch. "On an average, we get around 15,000 visitors who take home around five bags each, every day," he said.