NEMA urges public to say no to plastic bags

Feb 29, 2016

Court ruled that NEMA should continue enforcing the ban on carrier plastic bags which was imposed in 2009

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is to continue to seek public support to enforce the ban on the production and use of plastic bags popularly known as buveera.

Dr. Tom Okurut, the executive director of the NEMA said there was a lot of public outcry over plastic bags which are hazardous not only to the environment but also human health. But the public is not coming out boldly to reject the use of plastic bags.

"The people who are producing plastic bags have a market," said Okurut. "When you go to the market say no to plastic bags and carry alternative packing materials."

He said when officials of NEMA are moving upcountry they never return with plastic bags. He said they move with bags made out of grass straws also known as kikapu where they pack food items from road side markets.

"We are going to continue with public awareness," said Okurut, adding that private sector is also expanding the production of alternatives that are available to increase compliance.

Okurut also said some people complain that alternative packaging materials are high but reminded them that the cost of using plastic bags is higher to the environment and public health. He said some shopping outlets were already using paper bags and that this was a move in the right direction.

He was speaking at a press conference over the weekend convened at NEMA House in Kampala. This was after a Court ruling in favour of NEMA that the top environment body should continue enforcing the ban on carrier plastic bags which was imposed in 2009.

On January, 2016, Uganda Plastics Manufacturers and Recyclers Association Ltd filed a suit against the enforcement activities by NEMA. The manufactures were seeking from court that NEMA's entry and closure of factories engaged in the manufacture of the same is arbitrary and illegal. They also wanted court to declare a permanent injunction restraining NEMA and or its agents from closing and impounding products.

The manufacturers were also asking for punitive and general damages for inconvenience and loss of business.

But court declined to restrain NEMA from entering the factories to enforce the ban, according to the Court order of February 26th seen by New Vision. The court stopped NEMA from further closure of the factories outside the law.

Contrary to claims that the actions of NEMA in cracking down on plastic were arbitrary, Okurut said the top Government watchdog on the environment was operating within the law. He also said the companies they that had warned to stop making illegal plastics were going to be closed in subsequent inspections.

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