Kenya should go the Rwanda way, ban use of plastic bags

The Ministry of Environment and Natural resources should consider banning of plastic bags use in Kenya. Plastic bags are popular among shop retailers and large supermarkets because of their ease of use but its demerits seem to outweigh the advantages.

First, plastic bags are not put into good use by consumers as they dispose them everywhere making the whole environment untidy. Each day more bags are disposed leading to lots of heaps which find way to our homes, rivers and streets. This in turn blocks drainage systems and prevent smooth flow of sewage. The recent floods in Nairobi for instance were made worse by the bags blocking key drainage channels.

Sea and land animals have died after swallowing disposed bags leading to loss of revenue as wildlife is affected and productive mammals like cattle hampered. Research has shown that even if animals are not killed by plastic bags right away, their reproductive systems are affected in the long term.

When these bags are burned, they permeate the air with harmful toxic air that might cause harmful lung diseases among human beings.

Plastic bags take a long time to decompose meaning they remain in the soil for a long period of time causing pollution and depleting useful resources like humus.

Rwanda has imposed ban on plastic bags and as a result, the country has being recognized as one of the cleanest countries in Africa. Rwanda law on bags has serious consequences.  It prohibits the manufacture, use, importation and sale of the bags. Owners of businesses that violate the ban face up to a year in prison, and anyone caught carrying a bag faces stiff fines. Kenya should consider passing legislations to completely ban or limit the use of plastic bags.

Kenyan supermarkets and retail stores should instead use paper bags which can be recycled and is more environmental friendly compared to plastic bags.