Italian legislation banning non-biodegradable plastic carrier bags, initially scheduled to be in place by 2010, took effect on 1 January 2011. The new law touted by environmentalists, opposed by the plastics industry and feared by retailers stipulates that the traditional PE carrier bags, usually priced at 5 euro cents, no longer may be sold. However, stores may deplete stocks if they do not charge customers. Environment minister Stefania Prestigiacomo called the move "a key step forward in the fight against pollution," but plastics groupings were critical. The European plastics converters association EuPC (Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsconverters.eu) even has filed a complaint with the European Commission.
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