The tax on the purchase of disposable plastic utensils went into effect today (Monday).
The Ministry of Environmental Protection states that the tax will be levied on disposable utensils at a rate of NIS 11 per kilogram, and will apply to the production and import of these products in order to double the final price to the consumer and thus reduce the consumption of polluting products.
"The imposition of a tax on the purchase of polluting components is in line with the 'polluter pays' principle, so that anyone who chooses to consume disposable tools will bear the cost of the environmental damage in proportion to the extent of his consumption," the ministry said in a statement.
It was further stated that the tax will apply to cups, plates, bowls, cutlery and straws made of plastic, and in accordance with the thickness notice set in the Customs Tariff and Exemption Tax Order on Goods, published last month.
"Disposable utensils in general and utensils that contain plastic in particular, are inherently short-lived and quickly turn, after one use, into waste that causes significant environmental damage," the ministry explains.
"This waste is taking up increasing space in landfills, leading to increased costs of cleaning and garbage disposal, and causing pollution of the sea, open spaces and public space."
According to data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in Israel the volume of household consumption of disposable plastic utensils is 7.5 kg per capita per year - five times the situation in Europe. Disposable plastic products by about 40%.
Minister Zandberg, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Minister of Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg: "Israel is addicted to disposable plastic and it is time to quit. The benefit of disposable containers is short-term for consumers who purchase them, but they produce environmental damage that the entire economy suffers from, for many years to come. "It has twice become a losing habit of consuming a harmful product, which in economic terms constitutes a market failure and therefore requires government intervention - as is done by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environmental Protection."
The tax increase went into effect at the opening of the Glasgow climate conference.
The conference is attended by leaders from around the world, who will discuss solutions to global warming.