No More Free Bags Distributed in Rio Supermarkets as of Wednesday

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The free supply of two bags by shops ends on Wednesday, January 15th. The decision was reached following the Special Meeting of the Rio de Janeiro State Supermarket Association (ASSERJ), deciding to comply with the law.

“This is a first step in favor of the environment. ASSERJ always believed that the sector could show its concern for the environment. The campaign is just a reflection that we can go much further and contribute even more to Rio de Janeiro. We are confident that we can greatly evolve in this direction. The first step has already been taken and the impact has produced significant results,” says Fábio Queiróz, president of ASSERJ.

In the six months that the law banning the hand-out of conventional plastic bags (produced with 100 percent oil) has been adopted in Rio de Janeiro, ASSERJ reported a reduction of approximately 50 percent in the distribution of plastic bags by associated networks.

Since the Law came into force on June 26th, 2019, around one billion plastic bags have stopped being distributed in the State.

The survey was conducted by ASSERJ among the establishments that are charging the cost price for the returnable bags and joined the “Desplastifique Já!” (“Unplasticize Now!”) movement launched on June 25th, 2019.