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Kinyarwanda
Separate Police operations against plastic bags conducted in the districts of Rubavu, Rutsiro and Nyabihu on Friday and Saturday seized over 3600 pieces of the banned non-biodegradable products
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that at least 2,420 pieces were recovered from three people in Gikombe Village of Kayove Cell in Nyakiriba Sector, Rubavu District. Three people, who include traders, were arrested with the plastic bags during the operation, the spokesperson said.
“Other 1450 pieces were seized from four people in Nyabihu in Rurembo Sector, Murambi cell, who were also taken into custody. These four suspects were also found with other illegal products that include cannabis, illicit gins in various brands and banned breaching lotion such as carolight,” CIP Gasasira said.
The non-biodegradable bags have been outlawed in Rwanda since 2008. Since then, several mechanisms including legal provisions against use of plastic bags have been adopted.
According to article 433 of the Penal Code, “any person who sells polythene without authorisation shall be liable to a fine of Rwf10, 000 to Rwf300, 000.
Using polythene bags also attract a fine of up to Rwf100, 000, but in case the person repeats the offence, the penalty is doubled.
According to the World Economic Forum, plastic pollution is a problem all over the world. It estimates that every year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastics find their way into the ocean, the equivalent of dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute.
“These operations are continuous including in retailer shops where they are used for packaging,” CIP Gasasira said, warning traders that “they will also be arrested if they don’t desist from such unlawful acts.”
