JEDDAH: People should not throw away plastic bags and ways must be found to replace these environmentally dangerous products with paper or recyclable holders, or introduce a tax to curb their use, experts have said.

Ahmed Al-Bouq, director of the National Center for Wildlife Research in Taif, and spokesman for the Saudi Wildlife Society, said plastic poses a problem to many countries, from the United States to East Asia, in “varying proportions.”

“The problem is that these bags are not biodegradable, and even if they are, it is only to a limited extent, and they are then harmful for marine and terrestrial organisms that feed on them.”

Ahmed Al-Farhan, environmental academic at King Saud University and head of the masters for environmental sciences program, said that the use of paper bags is part of the solution.

Other nations have addressed the problem by incorporating environmentally friendly bags, or by using only one recyclable and heavy-duty bag for all shopping needs. He said a tax on bags can also be introduced to limit their use.

Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), said that the organization has begun a program to recycle waste products. There was a greater move toward recycling in the Kingdom, particularly solid waste such as car tires, he said.

The PME has dedicated an award, set up in 2004, for environmental management in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Administrative Development. The aim is to incentive individuals and institutions to become more environmentally responsible.