Every 5th of June is World Environment Day, a day dedicated to global awareness and environmental conservation action.
Some people may have been suspicious when in Rwanda, in 2008, the law banning the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags was enacted as a way to save the world.
This not only places Rwanda on the list of the cleanest countries, but also protects it from the risks faced by the polyethylene bags, Environment Minister Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya says.
“Since Rwanda decided to ban the use of polyethylene bags, much has been achieved. Now, water penetrates land as needed, and our domestic animals no longer die from swallowing the plastic.
“With the decision, we managed to protect the plants and animals. Wild animals in parks no longer die from eating plastic bags littered either by national or foreign citizens. Our forests are protected as well.”
Mujawamariya says cleanliness is a value added when it comes to protecting the environment.
When thrown in water or on land, most plastic materials never fully disappear. They just become smaller and smaller.
Many of these tiny plastic particles are swallowed and get into our food by farm animals or fish that mistake them for food.
Plastic waste, particularly plastic bags, blocks sewers and provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests, and may increase transmission of vector-borne diseases such as malaria.
“Although we have done a good job, more needs to be done. There are smugglers who bring the plastic bags in the country. We however salute the national police which helps the government in arresting those people,” Mujawamariya adds.
The minister encourages the public to recognize that the environment complements their livelihoods.
“They have to know that their lives are made better when the rest of the environment is also in a better condition.
UN data show that since the early 1950s, more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been made.As at as 2018, approximately 60 percent of that plastic ended up either in a landfill or the natural environment.
Just 9% of all plastic waste ever generated was recycled, while about 12% was burned and 79% deposited in landfills, dumps or the natural environment.
More than 99 percent of plastics manufactured from chemicals are extracted from oil, natural gas and coal, and the study suggests that if current trends continue, the plastics industry could account for 20 percent of the total oil consumption worldwide by 2050.
In addition, by 2050 oceans could contain more plastic than fish, if no action is carried out.
Popular plastic waste consists of cigarette butts, water bottles, bottle caps , food wrappers, shopping bags and straws, among others that most of us don’t know or care where they end up.
