NEMA exempts garbage bin liners from plastic bag ban

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has exempted the use of garbage bin liners from the ban on plastic bags that takes effect next week.

This follows reconsideration by the environment management body to allow for the safe disposal of garbage across the country.

The exemption will also be extended to biochemical and hazardous disposal bags.

In a notice however, NEMA said importers and manufactures of such bags will have to print their names on the bag as well as the name of the intended end user.

“The exemption also includes disposal bags for handling biochemical and hazardous waste and garbage bin liners. Furthermore, these bags must be clearly labeled (printed) the name of the industry manufacturing the product and the end user,” NEMA said in its notice.

The ban on plastic bag use comes into effect on August 28.

NEMA has at the same time announced plans to ensure all importers and manufactures are held accountable for the use of their products.

NEMA has directed that manufactures and importers of plastic bags to obtain clearance letters to allow them to continue manufacturing plastic bags that will be used for primary industrial packaging.

“In a bid to enhance compliance to this ban, all manufactures, importers and users of plastic bags used for primary industrial packaging are hereby notified to obtain clearance letters allowing them to continue with the manufacture, importation and use of the defined plastic bag packaging,” the authority stressed.