Kenya bans plastic bags, violators may be fined $38,000
A ban on plastic carry bags has come into effect in Kenya. Under the ban, anyone found selling, manufacturing or carrying plastic bags could face fines up to $38,000 or a maximum four-year prison sentence. Kenya is the latest of several African countries to ban plastic bags citing environmental protection, including South Africa, Rwanda and Eritrea. India hasn't banned the use of plastic bags yet.
Kenyan court rejected challenge to drop ban
Last week, a Kenyan court rejected a challenge by two plastic bags importers calling for the ban to be dropped. The court said protecting the environment trumps commercial interest. Manufacturers claim the ban would lead to 80,000 job losses. Companies using polythene to wrap products are exempted. Travellers entering Kenya from abroad with duty-free shopping bags will have to dispose them at the airport.
Ban comes into effect after six-month adjustment period
The ban comes into effect after a six-month window for reducing plastic bags use ended on August 27. Yet, most traders have been caught off-guard. Several small-time traders in Kenya's capital Nairobi hadn't procured alternate packaging materials. It remains uncertain how the consumers would adjust to life without plastic bags. Kenyans use 24 million plastic bags every month.
Why plastic bags are harmful for environment
The UN Environmental Program said non-biodegradable plastic bags have for long been responsible for environmental damage, health problems and the deaths of animals. A European research has found plastic bags must be used four times to compensate for the carbon used to manufacture and transport it. Paper bags must be used three times while cotton bags a whopping 131 times.
NGT banned use of thin plastic bags, order ignored
Meanwhile, on August 10, 2017, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered an interim ban on the use/possession of plastic bags thinner than 50 microns in Delhi. A fine of Rs. 5,000 would be slapped on violators. On August 17, the Times of India reported that the NGT's order was being ignored as most vendors and consumers across Delhi were using thin plastic bags freely.
