The movement against single-use plastics is growing. In Southern and East Africa, a number of countries have banned or strongly discourage their use.
Here is a round-up of environmentally conscious locations in this belt of Africa:
Botswana
Early this year, the government of Botswana announced a ban on plastic bags to begin from November 1. Contravention of the ban will carry a fine or jail time of up to 30 days.
Ethiopia
The government intends to implement a ban on all plastic bags from 2020. Currently, thin plastic bags are prohibited. Speaking after the announcement, Director of Compliance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mehari Wondmagegn said: “Before we totally ban using plastic bags, we need to put into practice other alternatives like recycling the used plastic and using reusable and biodegradable plastic.”
Kenya
Kenya banned plastic bags in 2017, with the threat of jail time or a large fine for offenders. The motivation was pollution in waterways and the ocean. In April this year, eight months after the introduction of the ban, David Ong’are, the Enforcement Director of the National Environment Management Authority, told The Guardian: “You no longer see carrier bags flying around when it’s windy. Waterways are less obstructed. Fishermen on the coast and Lake Victoria are seeing few bags entangled in their nets.”
Malawi
In June 2015, the government banned the sale, importation and production of thin plastic bags. In January the following year, a number of plastic manufacturers challenged the law in court. The court ruled in favour of the government and the ban on plastic bags was upheld. Speaking after the judgement, Public Relations Officer for the Department of Environmental Affairs, Sangwani Phiri said: “The main aim of the Plastics Regulations of 2015 is to preserve and conserve the environment. One area in which we can do that is to ensure we protect the environment from careless production, importation, manufacturing, exportation and use of these thin plastics or single-use plastics. For us to protect the environment we need to ensure that we’re recycling these plastics.”
Mauritius
In 2016, Mauritius banned the importation, manufacture and use of plastic carrier bags at retailers and markets.
Mozambique
A charge on plastic bags has been in place in Mozambique since 2016.
Namibia
In June this year, Namibia banned the use of plastic bags in all its national parks, effective immediately. Plastic bags are confiscated at the gate.
Rwanda
Rwanda put a country-wide ban on all plastic bags in 2008. This ban includes the importation, manufacture, sale or use of plastic bags and carries with it punishment of a fine or jail time. Luggage at Kigali International Airport is frequently searched, with plastic bags confiscated and protective plastic wrapping cut from suitcases.
Seychelles
In July 2017, the government of the Indian Ocean archipelago banned the importation, manufacture and sale of plastic bags and plastic utensils. Violators face a fine of up to US$1 495 or jail time of up to a year. In June this year, Seychelles banned single-use plastic straws. The move banned the importation of plastic straws and the government gave retailers until January 2019 to use their remaining stock. The Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association took up the challenge. Sybille Cardon, Chairperson of the Association said: “For 2018, our association’s main objective is waste management. We want this to be top of our agenda, as there was no mention of waste management in this year’s State of the Nation Address by the president. Straws are easy, but we acknowledge that this will also take time as we have to educate people on why we need to use more environmentally friendly alternatives.”
South Africa
While a nationwide ban has not yet occurred, a number of companies and destinations in South Africa have taken up the call. Popular casino complex Montecasino, in Johannesburg, banned single-use straws in early 2018. A number of restaurants have also banned plastic straws. A charge on plastic bags has been in place since 2004. Some retailers – including major supermarkets Pick n Pay and Spar – and restaurants are now providing compostable alternatives to plastic bags.
Tanzania
The government of Tanzania has been in talks since 2015 regarding the potential impact on the economy of a ban on plastic. To date, no decision has been reached.
Uganda
In June this year, President Yoweri Museveni asked law enforcement to apply the country’s 2007 ban on lightweight plastic bags.
Zambia
Earlier this year, the Director of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency, John Simuko, told the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation that it had no intention of banning plastic.
Zanzibar
In Zanzibar, plastic bags have been banned since 2006.
Zimbabwe
In 2017, Zimbabwe banned the use of polystyrene containers and encourages the use of biodegradable or reusable containers instead.
A worldwide campaign to reduce our reliance on plastic is under way for the month of July. Find out more here.
Have we left anyone out? Tell us about your experiences of plastic and any efforts being made to reduce the use of plastic in Southern and East Africa in the comments below.
