Kavera ban continues to create a lot of confusion

By Rashid Jyagenda

The current debate on the use of polythene bags continues to create a lot of confusion among the public and probably seem not to end soon.

Whereas the cabinet directed the minister of water and environment to instruct NEMA to continue banning the bags  below 30 microns, NEMA argues for  a total ban.

The position by NEMA is based on the perspective that we cannot differentiate the plastic bags. The evidence in their position indicates that, NEMA does not complain about the product but only its  management. Banning polythene bags (Kaveera ) in reality appears to be an over ambitious plan given the fact that even in the developed countries, for instance, the EU, plans to meet their target of 80% reduction in the use of  single use plastic bags by the year 2025 and not a total ban.

Examining the various uses of polythene, it appears the ban will continue to leave a huge gap not only in the packaging industry but in the economy as a whole. To substantiate this, it is important that we first explore the use of Kaveera in Uganda. In the first place, using Kaveera (polythene bags) seem not to have a perfect substitute. A case in point, when it comes to building and construction, polythene sheets are used as a water proof. Equally, a liquid substance like milk is well packed in polythene bags. Other uses include wrapping various products that includes textiles, stationary and food stuffs. They are also used as lining   for rubbish bins, carrier bags for groceries. In agriculture, poly pots are used for seedlings.  While in medical, plastic bags are applied as packaging material for drugs and also used as the most appropriate bag for disposal of medical waste. 

Besides all that, it will be an oversight to ignore the contribution of this industry towards the economy of this country. In regard to this, employment opportunities   have been created; the country’s tax base has been widened and also contributed to the foreign exchange earnings as most of the finished products are exported.

Furthermore, a ban will affect future profits from the Ugandan oil and natural gas sector given the fact that estimates show that more than 50% of the raw-materials used in manufacturing plastic bags originates from crude oil or natural gas.

Given the cited uses, there is a need for the body advancing a total ban to guide the general public on the possible alternatives that are more environmental friendly than plastic bags. This is so, since if the current alternatives observed in our supermarkets and other groceries are to be analysed, we then appear to have missed the point as regards environmental protection. This alternative, however, has been found to cause more severe damage on the environment than the plastic. For example, research report tabled to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011 titled “Comparison of Environmental Impact of Plastic, Paper and Cloth Bags” revealed the following scandalous information.

Paper bag has a more adverse impact on the environment than a plastic bag in relation to emission of greenhouse gases (climate change), acid rain, consumption of water and solid waste production. On the other hand,  cloth bags are heavier than light plastic bags. In this regard, the transportation of the same volume of cloth bags in comparison to light plastic bags, 80 times more lorries or ships are used. These lorries or ships negatively affect the environment as they emit carbon dioxide to a tune of more than 80times. This research further revealed that, cloth bags, if reused for many times are not hygienic, like plastic bags because they can be a habitat and a breeding-ground for bacteria, yeast and mould.

Basing on this research, won’t one be fair to write that we will be moving from the flying pan to the fire?

This reminds me of ‘a bad worker man who blames his tool’’ a proverb which I learnt more than three decades ago. In my opinion, I suggest plastic waste management rather than a total ban.  Plastic waste management simply means knowing how to use plastics, how to store them properly so that they can be reused several times, and also knowing how they can be recycled when need a rises.

Way forward:

1)     NEMA should equip its field staff with both skills and modern instrument for measuring microns.  Indeed, knowing microns in plastic bags is a very simple exercise because it is a prerequisite during plastic bag manufacturing.   

2)     There is a need to set up collection centres. These can be done either by manufacturers, individually or collectively in different regions. After all, putting in place these centres will create employment opportunities to Ugandans. 

3)     Public awareness and sensitisation should be regularly carried out.

4)     Manufacturers should have fully equipped and operational recycling plants for recycling of plastic waste. As a must, these plants must be regularly operational.

5)     On the aspect of littering of plastic waste, enforcement should be effectively done.

The writer is a marketing consultant