The environment service has launched a two-month public consultation on draft regulations to manage plastic waste in the agricultural sector.

Uncontrolled dumping and burning of plastic agricultural waste pollute the soil, atmosphere and water and damage public health, it said as it announced that its draft regulations are based on the principle of ‘producers’ responsibility’ that covers all those who market agricultural products.

The regulations oblige them to set up individual and collective management systems so that holders of the waste (farmers, distributors, users etc) deposit the waste at collection points which can be fixed or mobile units.

Producers must then set in place the procedures and infrastructure to collect the waste from the collection points and deliver it to licensed management facilities.

Comments on the draft regulations can be sent to the service until 15/9/2021 by mail to the Environment Service, 1498 Nicosia or by email to [email protected].