Burundi Bans Plastic Bags

The Government of Burundi has advanced its plans to ban plastic bags.

It introduced new rules banning their use in August 2018, but announced an 18-month adjustment period for consumers and retailers to prepare and use up old stock. 

This week the country’s minister for the environment Déo-Guide Rurema announced that the bags will now be banned as of August 22.

The Government of Tanzania recently indicated its intention to ban the use of plastic. A ban is already in place in Zanzibar, as well as in regional neighbours such as Kenya and Rwanda. 

Kenya has recently increased pressure for the ban of single-use plastic carrier bags across the region, calling on Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi to join Kenya and Rwanda. At a recent Heads of State Summit it was hoped that leaders from across the region would assent to the East African Community (EAC) Polythene Materials Control Bill. However, due to the reservations of several countries the Bill remained unsigned.