Africa is leading the world when it comes to banning plastic bags and regulating usage. According to a report published by the World Economic Forum, 31 of these bans have been passed in sub-Saharan Africa.
In July 2018, the United Nations reported that 127 nations had banned or taxed bags.
According to National Geographic ‘bag regulations have proliferated so quickly, especially at the local level, that even an Al Qaeda-backed terrorist group joined in‒banning plastic shopping bags last summer as “a serious threat to the well-being of humans and animals alike.”’
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Tanzania is the latest African country to ban plastic bags from within its borders, a ban which will come into effect on 1 June.
Kenya introduced one of the toughest bans on single-use plastic bags in August 2017. Kenyans could face penalties of jail time for up to four years or fines of $40,000 (R583,000) for Kenyans producing, selling or using plastic bags.
While South Africa has not banned the production or use or plastic bags yet, in 2003 legislation was introduced that intended to decrease plastic bag litter by charging for bags.
Currently certain Woolworths stores are choosing to ban plastic bags and property company Liberty Two Degrees, which owns Sandton City, has announced that all malls in its portfolio will be plastic free by 1 January 2020.
Fatured image: Pixaby
Also read: Tanzania notifies travellers about plastic bag ban
