Effective June, Tanzania will ban single-use polythene bags in the war against plastic pollution.
Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that polythene bags will no longer be used for commercial purposes or household packaging, and warned producers and suppliers to dispose of their stocks.
“It is possible that July 1 will mark the end of the use of plastics in the country,” he said.
The Office of the Vice President will ensure the enforcement of the ban through regulations to be introduced under the environment law.
Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office Mussa Sima said the regulations have been prepared and are only awaiting publication in the official gazette.