Eradication of plastic bags hampered by neighboring countries’ inaction—REMA boss

{The acting director of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Eng. Collette Ruhamya has said that Rwanda is negatively affected by failure of neighboring countries to regulate towards eradicating the use of plastic bags.}

She noted this yesterday during the campaign of mobilizing Rwandans to use environment friendly bags.

“The use of plastic bags in neighboring countries affects us. They have tried to ban them but failed,” said Collette decrying people who illegally bring plastic bags to Rwanda.

She wondered why some people still use plastic bags while there are industries and cooperatives manufacturing environment friendly bags.

On the other hand, Nteziyaremye Bercal, the head of productivity at SRB Investments Rwanda LTD, a company established to manufacture paper bags says that they still face challenges of placing orders for raw materials from abroad which hampers their productivity.

In 2005, Rwanda stopped the use of plastic bags and their importation and in 2008 implemented a law prohibiting the importation and use of plastic bags as a move to protect the environment.

Article 433 of Rwanda’s penal code stipulates that whoever is found in illegal selling and or possession of plastic bags is subjected to pay a fine from Rwf 10,000 to Rwf 30,000. A person found using plastic bags is supposed to pay Rwf 100,000 of fine or double the amount if he/she is a repeat offender of the same offense.