With the review of the draft law seeking to phase out single-use plastics in Rwanda underway in Parliament, local businesses that rely on plastics are already mulling the next step.

The phase-out has a two year grace period before the law comes into force.

Experts and sector stakeholders say that there are multiple alternatives for businesses currently using single-use plastics whether manufacturing, packaging or retail.

Eng. Coletha Ruhamya, Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), told Business Times that there are many alternatives, especially singling out bamboo as a raw material which can be recycled.

"We urge the business community, especially those in manufacturing, to consider adding value to bamboo. We cannot also rule out recyclable material as another alternative to save the environment,” she said.

This could increase the attention given to bamboo growing in Rwanda as it currently does not receive much attention.

Bamboo currently covers only 4,381 hectares of land amounting to 1.85 percent of the total natural forest cover.

When asked on whether switching to bamboo may not have a negative effect on the total green cover, Coletha said that it matters to what extent and it will also create an opportunity for bamboo growing.

"There is nothing that we do on earth that has no negative effect but what matters is to what extent and also it creates an opportunity for those who wish to grow bamboo as they will be assured of the market,” she said.

Why recycling

Globally, every year more than 400 million tonnes of plastics are produced, with single-use plastics accounting for 36 per cent made for immediate disposal and only 9 per cent is what is recycled.

Basing on the statistics, the United Nations predicts that, by 2050, there will be around 12 billion tonnes of plastic litter in the landfills and the environment if the trend remains.

Ruhamya said that also recycling should also be given attention as a way to have a full circular economy.

"We also tell the business community to give more attention to recycling as the draft law will not phase out every plastic, that’s why recycling has to be attended too”, she said.

Business community response.

Talking about alternatives, some businesses such as hotels and restaurant business, are already considering alternatives.

For instance, in a statement by Marriot Hotel said that they are in the process of eliminating plastic straws.

"We are proud to be among the first large U.S. companies to announce that we’re eliminating plastic straws in our properties worldwide,” said Arne Sorenson, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Marriot International.

"We are committed to operating responsibly and with over one million guests staying with us every night, we think this is a powerful step forward to reducing our reliance to plastics”, the statement reads in part.

To that end, Marriot International noted that by July this year, all its properties will have depleted existing supplies of plastic straws and identified alternatives as well educated staff on way forward.

editorial@newtimesrwanda.com