There are no excuses for Rwandans using plastic bags as alternative envelops that are environmentally-friendly are available across the country, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has said.

"We want to remind Rwandans that use of plastic bags is not allowed in the country for the sake of a green and clean environment. Paper bags are available at an affordable prices to replace plastic bags. It is a matter of mindset, not lack of alternatives,” Coletha Ruhamya, the acting director-general of REMA, said yesterday.

She made the remarks during a media tour to manufacturers of environmentally-friendly bags, at the Special Economic Zone in Kigali’s Gasabo District.

The tour also served as an occasion to launch a campaign on the use of environmentally-friendly bags.

Article 3 of the law relating to prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use and sale of polythene bags in Rwanda states that "manufacturing, using, importing and selling polythene bags is prohibited in Rwanda.”

Bercal Nteziyaremye, the production planner at SRB Investment Rwanda Ltd, manufacturers of paper bags in the country, said people should change their mindset.

"You cannot say that there are no alternatives for plastic bags since we produce a minimum of 3.5 tonnes of paper bags daily, of which around two tonnes are distributed upcountry. Plastic bags are harmful to on our environment, we should all embrace the use of environment friendly bags for us to live in a better world,” Nteziyaremye said.

The campaign on the use of environmentally-friendly bags is in line with the National Environment Week that started on May 28, and the celebration of the World Environment Day to be observed today under the theme, "Join the race to increase resilience to climate change,” at the national level, while the global theme for this year’s environment day is on, "The fight against the illegal trade in wildlife.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw