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Lukashenko calls for reducing plastic packaging consumption

MINSK, 20 December (BelTA) – It is necessary to cut down on plastic packaging consumption step by step, as it is detrimental to the environment, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with the Minsk authorities on 20 December, BelTA has learned.

The head of state suggested starting with water bottles. “We need to minimize the use of polyethylene, at least for bottled water, to begin with. We have enough glass production capacities. We should not destroy people’s health. I am convinced that big and small bosses have their water in glass bottles. It is a global trend to replace polyethylene with eco-friendly packaging. This is a task for you,” the president said.

Another important matter is collection, recycling and disposal of municipal solid waste. “The capacity of our only treatment facility will last for another three or four years. We need eco-friendly solutions that will change the situation radically. Otherwise, the Hero City of Minsk will soon be surrounded by dozens of waste mountains. We do not know what to do with them, we do not need such mountains,” the head of state underlined.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that waste recycling can be lucrative. The respective enterprise in Brest is a case in point. “I have to mention our disgusting attitude to waste recycling. As far as I know, all glass in Switzerland is made of recycled glass. Everything is recycled,” the Belarusian leader noted.

He put the blame on inadequate awareness raising and poor functioning of the separate waste collection system. As a result, only 17% of waste is recycled, however the figure should stand at 50% or at least 30%. “These are solely organizational matters that do not need much funding. You just need to streamline things,” Alexander Lukashenko believes.

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