Burundi: Nkurunziza puts an end to the use of plastic bags

Burundi has decided to ban the marketing and sale of plastic bags from 2020, according to a presidential decree consulted.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has signed a decree terminating the manufacture, import, storage, sale and use of all plastic bags and other plastic packaging by 2020.

“A grace period of 18 months is granted, from the entry into force of this decree, to dispose of available stocks and orders already placed”, says the text

A radical decision taken to fight against pollution of the environment.

In addition, the decree also provides for “derogations” in particular for “biodegradable bags and plastic bags, plastic materials used in medical services, in industrial and pharmaceutical packaging”.

The use of plastic bags has been banned in many Africans such as Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Rwanda and Kenya.