Tanzania ban on plastic bags to start next year

Tanzania has said a ban on plastic bags will take effect from January 1, next year. Authorities have advised manufacturers of plastic bags in the east African nation to adopt new technologies of making biodegradable bags.

"Plastic bags will not be used in the country from January 1," Luhaga Mpina, deputy minister in the Vice-President's Office responsible for Environment, told a Parliamentary Committee on Trade.

The minister presented a draft ban regulations which indicated there will be an exemption on plastic bags used in medical services, industrial packaging, construction industry, agricultural sector and in sanitary use and waste management.