NEMA warns over return of banned plastic bags
It added that in November 2024, new regulations were gazetted to strengthen control over plastic packaging materials.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has raised an alarm over the return of banned plastic bags into the Kenyan market through illegal importation, manufacture, sale, and use.
In a public notice on Tuesday, the authority reminded Kenyans that plastic bags were outlawed in 2017 under Gazette Notice No. 2356 issued by the Ministry of Environment.
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It added that in November 2024, new regulations were gazetted to strengthen control over plastic packaging materials.
According to NEMA, “A person shall not manufacture, import, export, possess, use or offer for sale a flat bag, plastic bag or plastic film without authorisation from the Authority.”
The notice defined plastic bags as carrier bags or flat bags made from polymers such as polyethene, polypropylene, or polyethene terephthalate, whether woven, non-woven, laminated, or not.
The authority stressed that all plastic packaging materials in use or sold must display the name and contact details of both the manufacturer and the user, in addition to having NEMA’s approval.
It urged businesses and individuals seeking to engage in the plastic trade to apply for licenses under the Environmental Management and Coordination (Management and Control of Plastic Packaging Materials) Regulations, 2024.
NEMA warned that offenders face heavy penalties, including jail terms.
“Any person who manufactures, imports, exports, uses, sells, offers for sale or possess plastic carrier bags or plastic flat bags without a licence commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a jail term not less than one year but not more than four years or to a fine of not less than Sh2 million but not more than Sh4 million or both,” the notice read.
In addition, the authority assured the public that inspections and enforcement activities are ongoing. It pledged to remain vigilant in ensuring compliance while safeguarding the environment. “
“The Authority continues to carry out inspection and enforcement activities to ensure a clean, healthy and safe environment for all,” it said
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