The Consumer Council has stressed that the twenty cents plastic bag levy comes into effect on the 1st of next month.

This as the council received complaints that some traders implemented the increased levy of 20cents straight after the new Budget was announced.

Project Manager Bindula Devi is calling on traders to take responsibility and ensure they do not charge the new plastic bag levy prematurely.

“There were some unscrupulous traders started charging the twenty cents levy and consumers have been coming to the council raising their concerns, we just wanted the consumers know that the twenty cents levy is effective from 1st August 2018 and not prior to that.”

Consumers are also reminded to check their receipts and ensure they are charged the correct plastic bag levy.

Since the implementation of the Plastic Bag Levy last year, the Consumer Council has recorded 76 complaints in relation to it.

She adds that consumers who feel they are wrongly charged for the plastic bag can contact the National Consumer Helpline toll free number 155 or the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services.