This week the Senate of Buenos Aires Province (the province around the capital, and yet separate from Buenos Aires city) has ratified a law imposing bans on those plastic shopping bags such as those used in many supermarkets and shops here.

This law provides a two year period for all supermarkets, auto-service, restaurants and general commercial stores that use the nylon, plastic or polyethylene bags to replace them with paper or biodegradable plastics.

Whereas the plastic bags that we currently use take approximately 100 years to decompose, the biodegradable plastic and fibers used in some new bags take only a few days.

After the two year conversion period is up for the laws to take effect, business who are still using the nylon or polyethelene bags will face fines and the threat of closure.

Currently in Argentina, there are two Patagonian cities, El Bolson and El Calafate that have effeictively banned the use of plastic bags in their cities, as well as the well-to-do Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro.

Of course, the first question that comes to many Argentine’s minds - “What would I use to throw out my garbage?”. Well, the ban hasn’t reached the city of Buenos Aires yet, but lawmakers are reviewing a new law banning plastic bags in the capital starting 2013.

Being that its just not right to use plastic bags since by using them actually contributes to the worldwide pandemic of plastic bags, I will start earlier.  For me, that means finding an alternative to the bin bag - and figuring out a way to recycle my kitchen waste more effectively.

I would sure love some ideas.

For more information on the Buenos Aires plastic bag ban -

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/plastic-bags-ban-buenos-aires.php
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1049184
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/09/12/sociedad/s-01758358.htm