Manufactures’ lobby group hits out at govt. ban on plastic bags

The Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM) has faulted the government’s move to ban use of plastic bags in the country.

According to KAM, the move has the potential of crippling industrialization with a number of companies set to suffer major losses.

KAM said on Wednesday that  there were over 176 plastic bag manufacturing companies that are bound suffer from the directive, a move she argues could negatively impact investment in the country.

“The manufacturing sector as a whole will also be negatively impacted as they utilize plastics for packaging products. Imported products packaged in plastics are not affected by the ban and this will create an uneven playing field for the sector,” the association said in a statement to newsrooms.

In a gazette notice dated February 28, Environment Secretary Judi Wakhungu gave a six month notice banning the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags.

“It is notified to the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources has with effect from 6 months from the date of this notice banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging,” Ms Wakhungu said in the notice.

The decision to ban use of paper bags is in line with a recommendation from the East African Community to minimize use of plastic bags as part efforts to improve environmental management.

Tanzania banned the use of plastic bags last year while Rwanda also outlawed the use of paper bags.

The directive from the government, outlaws vendors, supermarkets, kiosks and even packers from using polythene bags from September 1.

The association of manufactures however said the six month timeline given is not enough for affected players and the industry as a whole to get a lasting alternative to paper bag use.

“There is also a need to put in measures to avail alternatives to substitute the plastic bags, the country is not in a position to offer this alternative currently or in the next 6 months,” it said.

The manufactures’ lobby group has also taken issue with the government’s inability to use the excise duty paid by manufactures for waste management as envisioned.

KAM is of the opinion that the government needs to better engage the private sector to find change consumer behavior and improve waste management.

“A ban that intends to enforce a sudden change in consumer behavior will not succeed in the long run, as can be seen by countries that have had to reverse their decision on similar bans such as South Africa,” the association said.

Report by Brenda Nyamichaba