FIJI (XINHUA) - Single-use plastic bags will no longer be easily available in the island state as a ban on the manufacture, sale, and supply of such bags starts on New Year's Day (Jan 1).

The ban is a step towards achieving a plastic-free environment that will help Fiji's tourism industry and marine life. Fiji's Ministry of Economy Head of Climate Change Nilesh Prakash urged Fijians to add the ban on single-use plastic bags to their New Year resolutions.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Chief Executive Officer Visvanath Das said the heavy penalties for manufacturing, selling and supplying of single-use plastic bags would be seen as a deterrent.