Since the country rigorously enforced the ban, Rwanda became amongst the first countries to enforce the production, import, sale, and use of plastic carry bags, aiming to combat litter and pollution.
By Jean B. Kayitare
Rwanda has been at the forefront of environmental sustainability in Africa, particularly in tackling plastic pollution. As a response to the growing issue of plastic waste, which set a precedent for other nations, the Government of Rwanda introduced a ban on plastic bags in 2008.
In 2019, the Rwandan parliament revised the law to extend the scope and address the growing threat of single-use plastics, prohibiting the manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of single-use plastic items.
Yet again, in 2021, the government introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policy, which ensures that manufacturers and importers of plastic products take responsibility for their waste by investing in recycling initiatives. This is aimed at reducing reduce environmental degradation, promote green growth, and enhance sustainable waste management. Since then, the country has strictly enforced the ban, with penalties for those found violating the regulations.
This analysis explores Rwanda’s policies, impacts, challenges, and future prospects regarding single-use plastics.
According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), single-use plastics are disposable plastic items designed to be used once before being discarded. These include plastic bags, straws, cutlery, food containers, and water bottles. Such plastics contribute significantly to environmental pollution due to their non-biodegradable nature.
Since the country rigorously enforced the ban, Rwanda became amongst the first countries to ban the production, import, sale, and use of plastic carry bags, aiming to combat litter and pollution. In turn, this decree has led to cleaner streets and a healthier environment.
The Director General of Trade and Investment, Antoine Marie Kajangwe, who oversees domestic and international trade and investment at the Ministry of Commerce and Trade (MINICOM) discloses that the demand for glass bottles increased from 19,530 tonnes in 2022 to 21,816 tonnes in 2023, which shows the reducing trend of the use of single plastics remaining in stock in Rwanda.
Implementation and Enforcement
According to the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), most of the gains have been made possible by continued public awareness using various channels of communication including Umuganda gatherings, socio- media and media campaigns, all aimed at educating the population about the dangers of plastic pollution. At the heart of public awareness, also, is the promotion of eco-friendly alternatives including reusable bags, paper packaging, and biodegradable materials.
In terms of enforcement, strict inspections at entry points prevent the smuggling of plastic products, while businesses and individuals found violating the plastic ban face heavy fines and potential closure.
Impact of the Ban on Single-Use Plastics
Rwandan cities are significantly cleaner due to reduced plastic waste courtesy of cleaner cities and waterways. There is also evidence of improved biodiversity via reduced plastic pollution benefits ecosystems, particularly in water bodies and national parks. In turn, this has led to reduced carbon footprint via decrease of plastic production and waste burning, greenhouse gas emissions.
Growth of Green Enterprises
The ban has created business opportunities in eco-friendly packaging and biodegradable products. Asked about her position on the implementation of the single-plastic use law, Vestine Mukamana, a trader at Kimironko market, tells Ethical Business that the shift has led to employment in the recycling and packaging sectors.
“Since (the government of) Rwanda started promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags, such as paper bags and reusable fabric bags, our businesses have been growing continuously,” she says.
“Sometimes, we have a deficit of raw materials resulting in reliance of imported ones which make it expensive to do business,” she says, while pleading for better supply of more raw materials.
Challenges
Small-scale traders and informal businesses sometimes struggle to comply with the ban due to the cost and availability of alternatives. A cursory look at some parts of Rwanda, principally, towns and the city of Kigali, points to littering of empty single use bottles that block major water channels, especially, during the rainy season.
Pointedly, the fact that Rwanda is a landlocked country makes it vulnerable to the smuggling of plastic bags from neighbouring countries with less stringent regulations.
Thirdly, while the ban has led to reduced plastic waste, the country still faces challenges in developing a robust recycling infrastructure for other types of plastics.
Lessons learnt
Rwanda’s accomplishment in dealing with single-use plastics offers several lessons to other countries across Africa and the globe.
First, political will matters a lot, since effective implementation requires commitment from the government coupled with well-defined legal frameworks.
Second, public participation is vital in order to engage citizens, thereby fostering a sense of ownership for compliance.
Besides that, investing in sustainable alternatives and supporting local industries can mitigate economic challenges.
Fourth, partnerships are key. So far, Rwanda has joined hands with Peru and co-authored a draft resolution aimed at ending plastic pollution globally. The country is also working with other East African Community (EAC) member states to harmonise policies and reduce cross-border plastic smuggling, apart from exploring circular economy models to enhance recycling and waste management systems.
In conclusion, the country’s single-use plastic ban is an amazing illustration of how policy, public engagement, and enforcement can drive momentous environmental change. While challenges remain, the country’s proactive tactic has positioned it as a global leader in the fight against plastic pollution. Her success serves as a spur for other nations seeking to address the growing crisis of single-use plastics. While challenges remain, the country continues to lead in environmental conservation through innovative policies and strong enforcement. Strengthening waste management systems and promoting sustainable alternatives will ensure long-term success in the fight against plastic pollution.
