Authority checks plastic bags

 By LUKE KAMA 

REGULAR inspections on shops and supermarkets around the country will be made to ensure total compliance with the ban on imports of non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags, an official says.

 Special projects director John Michael said the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEEPA) was looking at monitoring and controlling the end users of plastic shopping bags (PSBs) in the country to ensure the ban is implemented effectively and efficiently.

“Officers will be travelling to shops throughout the country at any time without notice and collect samples of plastic shopping bags that are served to customers,” he said.

“ It’s a legal requirement in this country that all plastic shopping bags must have a permit number labelled to indicate they are biodegradable.”

Michael said the samples would be collected and tested to see if they are biodegradable. 

“If they are not biodegradable, then the end users (shops/supermarkets) will be investigated where they source their PSBs and from which distributors.

“Do the distributors have the permit to import and distribute, or it’s from someone else who is enjoying illegally?” 

He said companies and business must comply with the legislations to do their business.

“We have some legally binding importers and manufacturers who pay taxes and fees to the Government to do their business while some are not paying fees and doing their business illegally,” he said.

“These illegal importers are importing cheaply and distributing illegally and making a lot of money while some of the legal permit holders are also affected in their business.”

“I am advising those illegal importers to cease immediately before you are caught and prosecuted under the law with huge penalty fees not exceeding K50,000 or two years imprisonment or both.” 

Michael said it was important that companies and business planning to import and manufacture plastic shopping bags should apply and get environment permits from Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA)  before importing or manufacturing.

 This would assist permit holders to improve their business on distributing biodegradable plastic bags and sell legally.