A
decade ago, Rwanda imposed an outright ban on all single use plastic bags. Not only
can you not use them, travellers are not allowed to bring them into the country. In fact,
it’s illegal to import, produce, use or sell them at all. Considering the UK only implemented a
plastic bag charge in 2015, I found this pretty inspiring. Rather than using plastic carrier bags,
businesses use paper alternatives and a few times while shopping I was handed my newly
purchased items in reusable woven carrier bags. Water pollution, soil erosion and animal
deaths have all seen a reduction.
Rwanda is working towards banning plastic entirely
With a clear vision to achieve a low-carbon and
climate-resilient economy by 2050, President Paul
Kagame has a firm stance on sustainability. What’s
more, the Government hopes to build on the
already present plastic bag ban and prohibit plastic
bottles, straws and cutlery. The aim is to become
the world's first plastic-free nation.
As a country, they support private and
public environmental projects
Rwanda's Green Fund (FONERWA), the
largest of its kind in Africa, is a ground-
breaking investment fund focused on
environment
and
climate
change.
Essentially, it supports public and private
projects that champion a green economy
and have the potential for transformative
change. So far, it has committed invest-
ments of just under $40 million to 35
projects, created more than 137,500 green
jobs and has reduced the equivalent of
18,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions
- and that’s just since 2012!
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