Rwanda National Police

Police in Rutsiro District have seized 198 cartons (39, 600 pieces) of banned non-biodegradable plastic bags.

The polythene bags were seized on Monday in Gihango Sector following a tip off by local residents.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the plastic bags were seized from the trafficker, who managed to flee.

“Police in Rutsiro received information from a resident in Gihango about a man with a luggage, which they suspected to be illegal. He was waiting for a public vehicle to transport them to unknown destination," said CIP Kayigi.

"Unfortunately, the suspect fled on seeing the Police leaving the luggage behind. When Police officers checked they found 198 cartons of plastic bags, each containing 200 pieces," he added.

The spokesperson thanked the resident, who called the Police adding that "this is an indication that people are now vigilant and implementing their community policing rights."

“Fighting selling and use of plastic bags is a national policy that we implement jointly with other responsible institutions like Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) with support of the public, who are the source of information on traffickers.”

CIP Kayigi noted that the banned bags are sneaked into the country through illegal border posts and appealed to communities living along the borders to report such people.

He further advised the general public against using plastic bags or buying goods packed in plastic bags, instead use khaki envelopes, which are environmental friendly and hygienic, and used as the best packaging alternative.

Article 7 of the law relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use and sale of polythene bags in Rwanda, states that industries which manufacture polythene bags, commercial companies or any person found in possession of prohibited polythene bags without authorization in their stores, manufacturing or using them, shall be punished by an imprisonment of six to twelve months and a fine of Rwf100, 000 to Rwf500, 000 or one of the two penalties.
 
The same article also states that “any unauthorized person who sells polythene bags shall be punished by a fine ranging from Rwf10, 000 to Rwf300, 000.  
 
Any unauthorized person who uses polythene bags also faces a fine of Rwf5, 000 to Rwf100, 000.