ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi government on Tuesday approved a new set of environmental restrictions, including a ban on plastic bags in bakeries, as part of broader efforts to reduce pollution and improve public health.
During the second meeting of Iraq's newly-formed government, chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, the cabinet “approved the proposals submitted by the national committee for reducing plastic pollution concerning the reduction of plastic bag usage,” introducing wide-ranging measures aimed at limiting plastic consumption, according to a statement from Zaidi’s office.
The statement said the government will start, “within six months of the issuance of this decision, prohibiting the free distribution of plastic shopping bags, banning their use in bakeries, and banning their importation, while replacing them with environmentally friendly biodegradable alternatives.”
The decision comes as plastic pollution is an escalating environmental crisis in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The Iraqi government's decision also includes “imposing a business and professions fee on factories producing nylon bags,” according to the statement.
It also noted the decision includes “environmental service fees, including environmental monitoring and assessment fees for plastic bag producers, with part of the revenues allocated to supporting environmental projects, monitoring programs, and environmental awareness campaigns.”
The Prime Minister’s office said the cabinet approved the “formation of a specialized committee tasked with establishing mechanisms to support and encourage sorting and recycling projects, transition toward paper bags, and investment in paper industries.”
“The Ministry of Environment will also conduct awareness and educational campaigns on the dangers of plastic bag usage,” the statement added.
The measures form part of Iraq’s wider push to address environmental challenges and reduce reliance on single-use plastics across commercial sectors, particularly food-related businesses.
While local authorities have launched recycling initiatives and public awareness campaigns, experts argue that stronger policies and greater public cooperation are essential to prevent long-term environmental harm.
In 2019, authorities in Sulaimani introduced a ban on plastic bags in bakeries across the city, directing bakeries to switch to paper alternatives on public health grounds. However, the measure has not been fully enforced, largely due to the higher cost of paper bags compared to cheaper imported plastic options.