The Ukranian parliament is considering adopting a law to restrict the production and use of polymer bags and packages in the country because of ecological concerns.
The law would ban the manufacture, import, use and distribution of any polymer packages with a volume of less than 35l and thickness of less than 0.025mm.
There are also plans to impose a complete ban on the use of polymer packages in the food retail and service industries.
However, the ban would not apply to bio-polymer bags that decompose in the environment.
An official representative of the Ukranian Ministry of Regional Development and Construction said a ban would speed the shift of local population to paper bags and packaging.
The proposal has already sparked criticism from polymer producers in the country.
One company, Se-Na, said production of paper bags is more costly and requires expensive equipment and large storage areas, so increases energy costs.