Tanzania has joined the more than 30 sub-Saharan African nations, introducing legislation to ban plastic bags.

The legislation came into effect on 1 June 2019 and prevents the import, export, manufacturing, sale, storage, supply, and use of plastic carrier bags regardless of their thickness.

Manufacturing plastic bags in Tanzania can lead to a two-year prison sentence or a fine of up to $400,000 (€357,000). Tourists are being warned that anyone found carrying a bag can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of $13.

The plastic ban has been gaining momentum on the African continent and Africa now leads the world in bag regulation – 31 of the 33 countries adopting taxes or bans on plastic are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Tanzania will now promote the production and use of alternative carrier bags.  The exceptions to this ban include medical, industrial, construction, agricultural and waste management packaging.

Hear more from Daniel Kijo of TRT World below: