The Consumer Affairs Authority has issued a special direction prohibiting traders from issuing polythene shopping bags free of charge to consumers from November 1, 2025.
According to the Gazette notification published on October 1, bags made from Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) cannot be given free at the time of sale. Instead, a price must be charged, which should be clearly mentioned on the customer’s bill.
The directive also requires traders to display the price of such bags conspicuously at their business premises.
The order defines these bags as any dimension of bags with handles used for carrying purchased goods, generally referred to as “sili-sili bags.”
The move is part of efforts to curb the widespread use of polythene and reduce environmental damage caused by plastic pollution.
The directive, issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, will be enforced from November 1, 2025. (Newswire)
