Rwanda to ban single-use plastics!

The Government of Rwanda is set to ban the manufacture, importation, use and sale of single-use plastic items, such as plastic packaging materials for food and other products, plastic bags, cups, straws and coffee stirrers. It has granted a three-month grace period to importers and retailers of single-use plastic items to phase them out before starting to penalise them, while manufacturers have been given a two-year grace period. According to Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's Minister for Environment, single-use plastic bottles are not affected by the ban. Rwanda banned imports of polythene bags already in 2008. We'll keep you posted!