Manufacturers protest as Kenya bans production, use of plastic bags
A dumping site choking with plastic shopping bags. On March 14, 2017 Kenya banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags. PHOTO | FILE |
Kenya has joined Tanzania and Rwanda in banning the use, manufacture and importation of plastics, despite stiff opposition from manufacturers. Following Nairobi’s change of heart, the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill 2016, is set for a smooth sailing in the East African Legislative Assembly.
On March 14, Kenya’s Environment Minister Judi Wakhungu, said in a notice that the government had “banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging” effective from September this year. At the start of this year, Tanzania outlawed the use of the polythene bags, with an implementation date of July to allow for manufacturers to finish their stocks.
