The Botswana government has taken a firm stand against environmental damage caused by plastic bags.
This landlocked African country has identified plastic bags as a major factor in environmental degradation. Plastic bags are made of ethanol and Chlorofloro Carbons which are toxic to all lifeforms and do not decompose easily. In addition, plastic bags can be lethal for both the wild and domestic animals that ingest them.
Enough is Enough
Initially, the country restricted the use of plastic bags to those with a minimum of 24 microns thickness, as thinner bags were causing the major problem.
The Botswana Government has also embarked on a rigorous program to educate the public on the value of recycling and cutting down on their use of plastic bags. These pleas have fallen on deaf ears and the Department of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism has decided to put their foot down to stomp out littering in Botswana.
New Rules in November
In February, the head honcho of the DoE, Mr Tshekedi Khama, stated that “The process has started, and my ministry has embarked on informing Batswana and other stakeholders to prepare and get ready for the ban as well as putting in place alternatives for the plastic carriers/flat bags.”
The move is in line with the decision by several other countries, like Rwanda and Kenya that already have a plastic bag ban in place.
The Deputy Director of the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control (DWMPC) has backed this up by stating that the plastic bag ban will come into effect on November 1, 2018. At present, the regulations refer only to plastic carrier bags such as those commonly issued by supermarkets.
Emissaries of the DWMPC have already set off on a nationwide campaign to explain the far-reaching effects of this law and ensure that everybody understands it.
Hefty Fines Are in Store
Anyone caught with plastic bags after 1 November 2018, could be fined up to 5 000 Pula or face a 30-day prison sentence. If you are planning a southern African safari to Botswana, you are most welcome – but your plastic bags aren’t.
If you are heading to Botswana any time soon, get in touch for all the advice you need on how to stay within the law and help this African country to conserve its magnificent conservation heritage.
