Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A new proclamation concerning solid waste management and disposal has been approved by the House of People’s Representatives, imposing hefty fines on individuals found in possession of single-use plastic bags. The law, which has sparked criticism from some parliamentary members, stipulates a fine of 2,000 to 5,000 Birr for anyone found carrying a single-use plastic bag.
This includes common plastic bags used for packaging injera, bread, and various other goods.
The new legislation also targets those involved in the production, import, marketing, sale, storage, or possession for commercial purposes of single-use plastic bags. Offenders in these categories face a financial penalty of not less than 50,000 Birr and not exceeding 200,000 Birr, in addition to rigorous imprisonment of up to five years.
Following the reading of the proclamation’s content by Dr. Awoke Amzaye, Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Water, Irrigation, Lowland Areas, and Environmental Development, parliamentary members raised questions and concerns.
Dr. Alemu Gonfa, a member of parliament, questioned what citizens should do with plastic items once they bring them home. “Should they throw them away? Or should they return them to environmental protection for recycling?” he asked. He further suggested that it would be better to produce plastic products that could be reused, arguing that “telling someone to use a plastic that can be used 10 times only once is not appropriate.” He also pointed out that the proclamation does not specify where to dispose of the plastic after its single use.
Another MP raised concerns about public awareness, questioning whether citizens would understand which specific plastics are covered by the ban and if they would have the knowledge to differentiate between them. The MP also highlighted the potential burden on low-income communities, asking how the fine, ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 Birr, would impact them given the country’s current economic realities.
In response to the questions, Dr. Awoke Amzaye clarified that the penalty for single-use plastic bags, such as those used by low-income individuals for purchasing small quantities of bread or sugar, was set with the public’s ability to pay in mind. He explained that the fine was lowered from a potential 5,000 Birr to a minimum of 2,000 Birr precisely because an elderly person might not have 5,000 Birr if found with a small purchase.
Dr. Amzaye strongly emphasized the environmental damage caused by plastic bags, stating, “Plastic bags are more damaging to the country than the fine itself; they do not decompose for up to a hundred years.” He further stressed that “from this perspective, even if the fine were twenty or thirty thousand, it would be to save the country.”
To raise public awareness, Dr. Awoke Amzaye announced that an awareness campaign will commence this coming Thursday.
It was clarified that the proclamation does not include plastic shoes, water jerrycans, and thick plastic products. Additionally, the new law obligates every individual to clean the area within 20 meters from the boundary of their residence.
