Rwandan environment agency, private sector in partnership to tackle single-use plastics
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, June 5, 2021
KIGALI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and Rwanda Private Sector Federation on Friday launched a partnership project aimed at tackling single-use plastics in the country.
The five-year Sustainable Management of Single-use Plastics Project was launched in Rwandan capital city Kigali during celebrations of the annual World Environment Day that falls on June 5.
Under the project, the private sector will support financial mobilization while REMA, an affiliate of the Rwandan Ministry of Environment, will provide technical support, according to a concept note.
"The project is part of our solution to prevent and reverse the loss of biodiversity due to plastic pollution," Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya said during the launch.
Mujawamariya meanwhile urged Rwandans to stop using illegal plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items to conserve the environment.
"We remind all citizens to stop using illegal plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, to stop harvesting immature forests, and to stop illegal activities in the buffer zone of lakes, rivers and wetlands," she said.
As the Government of Rwanda demonstrates a strong commitment to transform Rwanda's economy to a green, clean and resilient one, the private sector had no other option than to partner with REMA to make these objectives a reality, said Robert Bapfakurera, chairman of Rwanda Private Sector Federation.
Nearly 700 million Rwandan francs (about 700,000 U.S. dollars) will be collected from the private sector toward the implementation of the project over the five-year period, Bapfakurera said.
In 2019, Rwanda enacted a law banning single-use plastics and gave a three-year grace period to businesses to phase out and shift to new business models.
The law has a list of single-use plastics that are currently prohibited in Rwanda to protect the environment, including plastic water and soda bottles, drinking straws, food packaging materials and plastic bags, among others. Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)