Tanzania has made a formal commitment to stop the single-use of non-biodegradable plastics. A move towards tackling pollution from non-biodegradable waste, joining more than 60 other countries.
According to Tanzania’s Minister for the Environment, January Makamba, the regulations are ready for publication and by 1 July, the use of plastics packaging in the country will be brought to an end.
The Office of the Vice President echoed his words, saying it will enforce the ban through regulations that will be introduced under environmental law.
Going by global statistics, in 2015, plastic packaging waste accounted for 47 per cent of the plastic waste generated globally. It is described as the world’s number-one consumer item.
The more countries that join the charge, the better, towards a blanket ban across the East African Community (EAC).
A report from the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Resources Institute in 2018, offers new perspectives into the global movement to curb single-use plastics.
The findings detailed in the report found that there has been a surge in momentum regarding the banning of plastic bags, while other harmful single-use products remain relatively overlooked.