The plan was launched earlier in January by the Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak, who particularly focused on cutting plastic pollution and reducing the use of single-use or disposable plastic products in Timor-Leste.

The plan, aimed at prohibiting people from buying and using single use or disposable plastic goods, says pollution caused by the use of plastic products “is one of the main challenges facing mankind.”

The plan includes regulations to control single-use plastic with a special 30 per cent charge on these products and improving plastic waste control in Dili. This includes a charge on plastic bags.

Over half of the world’s plastic products end up in oceans, seas, lakes and rivers, according to a statement from the Council of Ministers.

The move comes at a time where governments across the world are starting to implement plastic use policy.

As of December 2018 almost two thirds of countries had adopted some form of legislation to regulate plastic bag use, according to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Resources Institute.

In 2015, plastic packaging waste accounted for 47 percent of the plastic waste generated globally, with half of that estimated to come from Asia.