News Brief10:17 AM

(IsraelNN.com) The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs approved a bill this week ordering retailers to charge NIS 1 per plastic bag given to customers.  The charge will be collected by checkout clerks and will appear as a separate line on the receipt.  The bill is aimed at increasing public awareness regarding environmental cleanliness and is intended to encourage consumers to reduce their use of plastic bags and increase their use of reusable bags.

Plastic bags used for wrapping fish, meat, poultry and fresh produce will be exempted from the charge.  In the first six months following the passing of the law, businesses may offer reusable bags for sale at NIS 4.50.