Southern cities ban plastic bags in effort to keep Patagonia pristine

Print
Santiago Times - Punta Arenas took a significant step last month toward stemming the tide of the some 26 million plastic bags used annually in the popular tourist hub, passing an ordinance to ban commercial use of the polyethylene products that en masse cause both an eyesore and an environmental hazard.
 
On Jan. 23, the city’s municipal council gave businesses one year to phase out “the use of any kind of polyethylene or plastic polymer bags” and replace them with reusable or compostable bags. Punta Arenas joins the Aisén Region’s Chile Chico which gave business six months to be rid of bags starting Jan. 21 and Pucón which began a two year phase out process in July, 2013.
 
The new regulations are an effort to protect and conserve not only communities, but also the surrounding environment and wildlife.
In an interview with The Santiago Times Gabriela Oyarzo Sardiña, an official with Punta Arenas’ environmental unit, said that aside from being a visual blight on the community, the bags often get blown into the sea and harm marine life.
 
“It’s windy here, some of the bags even reach the island Tierra del Fuego,” Sardiña sai, referring to the archipelago at the southernmost tip of the continent, just across the Magellan Strait from Punta Arenas.
 
Exceptions to the new rule include containers used in the wrapping of perishables, such as meat, seafood and deli products, as well as vacuum-sealed waste containers in accordance with existing laws. Violation of the new law will be punishable by a fine of up to US$360.
 
According to the ordinance, Chileans use about 200 plastic bags per person every year, which translates to about 26 million plastic bags for Punta Arenas alone. Out of the 250 million plastic bags used in the country per month, 90 percent end up in landfills, according Environment Ministry figures. Plastic bags can take as long as 500 years to degrade, depending on the conditions.
 
Despite some complaints from local supermarkets and businesses that have grown accustomed to regularly distributing plastic bags, Sardiña said responses to the ordinance were overwhelmingly positive. She added that as a tourist destination, it’s important for Punta Arenas to protect natural resources that draw visitors.
 
The remote Southern city is a gateway to the iconic Torres del Paine and other natural wonders of Patagonia.
 
But Omar Ruiz, community planning secretary in Chile Chico, said although the area does attract a significant amount of tourist dollars, that was not a major consideration when his municipality planned its ordinance. Local government conducted surveys, focus groups and organized an awareness campaign about the effects of plastic bags on the environment. Ruiz says the public responded positively and strongly endorsed the initiative.
 
“We wanted to work for a green and clean community,” Ruiz said “There is a lot of natural beauty here. We wanted to take care of our environment, our Patagonia.” 
 
Related articles :