MOSCOW (MRC) -- Coronavirus safety worries have led to calls for the Welsh Government to delay its ban on single-use plastics, said BBC.
Straws and cutlery are among items set to be outlawed or subject to restrictions from 2021. The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) has twice written to First Minister Mark Drakeford, asking to delay the ban and "learn the lessons" of the pandemic.
The Welsh Government says it remains committed to the ban. As lockdown is gradually lifted, the FPA claimed the demand for hygienic single-use products should override concerns like environmental impact.
The organisation is calling on the Welsh Government to push the ban on to 2022. It wants more consultation so expert food safety and hygiene evidence can be presented.
Executive director Martin Kersh said people had to learn from the pandemic. "The world has moved away from plastic plates, cutlery and straws in line with EU legislation," he said.
"During the pandemic the demand from the NHS, care homes and other institutions has been incredible. "I'm not a scientist so I can't say how the virus travels, but psychologically, those who make those purchase decisions believe this is the best solution, so that when you are feeding patients and residents you are not inadvertently spreading the virus."
He said society compromised on hygiene "at our peril." The Welsh Government said it remained "committed" to banning or restricting the sale of "a range" of single use plastics. A spokesman said: "We intend to issue a consultation on these proposals later this year. "The outcome of this consultation will inform future regulations to impose the bans".
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 383,760 tonnes in the first two month of 2020, up by 14% year on year. High density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) shipments increased due to the increased capacity utilisation at ZapSibNeftekhim. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 192,760 tonnes in January-February 2020, down by 6% year on year. Homopolymer PP accounted for the main decrease in imports.
MRC