Enforce ban on Polythene bags
Apr 04, 2010
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) announced on April 1, 2010, the commencement of the ban on the polythene bags and electronic waste announced in July last year. In June 2009, the Government announced total ban of plastics of 100 microns and below.
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) announced on April 1, 2010, the commencement of the ban on the polythene bags and electronic waste announced in July last year.
In June 2009, the Government announced total ban of plastics of 100 microns and below.
The enforcement of the ban was, however, delayed to April 1, 2010 to enable the disposal of all the plastics that were already on the market or under production. The Government had earlier banned the plastics of 30 microns, mainly the small polythene bags.
According to NEMA, it is now illegal for anyone to be found in possession of the banned materials. The manufacture, distribution and use of the polythene of 100 microns and below are prohibited. An enforcement task force headed by NEMA will henceforth impound and confiscate these polythene (buveera) in all distribution points like super markets and manufacturers’ stores.
However, as NEMA was announcing the polythene ban enforcement, water and environment minister Maria Mutagamba was reassuring plastic manufacturers that their plants won’t be closed down. Launching a plastics recycling plant, Quality Plastics located in Industrial Area Kampala, Mutagamba said instead of banning plastic bags, the Government will encourage the manufacturers to establish recycling plants.
Mutagamba’s remarks have caused ambiguity about the Government’s stand on polythene ban. Certainly there are overwhelming reasons for the ban on the polythene bags. Not only do the polythene bags pose a danger to the environment, they are equally a health hazard.
The Government must decisively act by enforcing the ban on polythene. The Government obviously is under pressure from a powerful polythene lobby to reverse the decision on the polythene bags.
The polythene lobby has argued that the ban will cause financial losses to manufacturers and job losses. This is a valid point. But failure to take action against the polythene bags will soon or later cause an environmental disaster that will be too costly for the country in the long run.
In June 2009, the Government announced total ban of plastics of 100 microns and below.
The enforcement of the ban was, however, delayed to April 1, 2010 to enable the disposal of all the plastics that were already on the market or under production. The Government had earlier banned the plastics of 30 microns, mainly the small polythene bags.
According to NEMA, it is now illegal for anyone to be found in possession of the banned materials. The manufacture, distribution and use of the polythene of 100 microns and below are prohibited. An enforcement task force headed by NEMA will henceforth impound and confiscate these polythene (buveera) in all distribution points like super markets and manufacturers’ stores.
However, as NEMA was announcing the polythene ban enforcement, water and environment minister Maria Mutagamba was reassuring plastic manufacturers that their plants won’t be closed down. Launching a plastics recycling plant, Quality Plastics located in Industrial Area Kampala, Mutagamba said instead of banning plastic bags, the Government will encourage the manufacturers to establish recycling plants.
Mutagamba’s remarks have caused ambiguity about the Government’s stand on polythene ban. Certainly there are overwhelming reasons for the ban on the polythene bags. Not only do the polythene bags pose a danger to the environment, they are equally a health hazard.
The Government must decisively act by enforcing the ban on polythene. The Government obviously is under pressure from a powerful polythene lobby to reverse the decision on the polythene bags.
The polythene lobby has argued that the ban will cause financial losses to manufacturers and job losses. This is a valid point. But failure to take action against the polythene bags will soon or later cause an environmental disaster that will be too costly for the country in the long run.