Tanzanian govt issues guidelines after a week of announcing nationwide ban on plastic

On May 16, the government of Tanzania had issued an official warning to people not to carry plastic bags with them effective from June 1, 2019. The intention of East African country is to protect the environment.

The warning released by the Tanzanian government includes that the dumping areas would be demarcated with further warning that whosoever violates the rule will have to pay a fine up to 20m/-.

Now the Tanzanian government has issued guidelines for implementing a ban imposed on the use, manufacturing and importation of plastic bags. The guidelines have been issued by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Joseph Malongo. According to him, inspection will be held in retail shops, market places, wholesalers, warehouses, factories, along the country's borders and any other places where plastic bags were sold, as reported by Xinhua.

The inspectors and other implementing officials will be required to introduce themselves each time they arrive at places subject to inspections. “Any person who will be found in possession or still using the prohibited plastic bags will be liable to a fine and sued in court if the fine was not paid on time,” Malongo added.

The Office of the Vice President of Tanzania earlier said in a statement that “all plastic carrier bags, regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in mainland Tanzania.”

On the other hand, the government of Tanzania already advised the travellers by various means to avoid carrying plastic bags or items in plastic carrier bags in the suitcase before commencing a journey to the East African country.

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