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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Momodou |
Posted - 22 Apr 2015 : 12:53:02
Plastic bag use, importation to be banned in Gambia
The Point: Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015
The Gambia government has decided to ban the importation and use of plastic bags in the country, with effect from 1st July 2015. The government also announced a policy of “No Compromise on Environmental Cleanliness.”
In a similar development, Senegal’s National Assembly yesterday Tuesday enacted a law banning the use or importation of plastic bags from the country, effective 1st July 2015.
Here is the full text of the press release issued by the Presidency on Monday 20 April 2015.
BAN ON USE AND IMPORTATION OF PLASTIC BAGS
The Government of The Gambia hereby announces a complete ban on the importation and use of plastic bags in the country with effect from 1st July 2015.
The indiscriminate use of plastic bags in The Gambia poses a serious existentialist threat to the fragile ecosystem of the country and presents an unwarranted environmental eyesore. Plastic bags are also responsible for suffocation deaths of sea and land animals, as well as inhibiting soil nutrients.
Plastic bags are non-biodegradable and do not decay for hundreds of years and therefore pose a dire threat to our environment. Even when disposed of, they end up in the trash, which then ends up in the landfill or is burnt. Burning them emits toxic gases that harm the atmosphere and increase the level of volatile organic compounds in the air.
Studies have revealed that an estimated 300 million plastic bags end up in the Atlantic Ocean alone. The environmental balance of our local and international waterways is being thrown off by the rate of plastic bags finding their way into the mouths and intestinal tracts of sea mammals. Where marine animals survive the swallowing of these bags, they are unable to continue with normal digestion and thus eventually die a slow and painful death from toxicity or intestinal blockage.
Plastic bags are made of various toxic chemicals that are sources of various diseases as well as disorders in humans. In recognition of these grave dangers, the Government of The Gambia will impose the ban on the importation and sale of these items and seeks the strict cooperation of all importers, sellers and users.
NO COMPROMISE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS
It has come to the notice of the authorities that there is a noticeable paring down of activities on national cleaning days or set-settals in the country. The Government firmly restates that it is incumbent upon each and every Gambian to clean his or her environment as this engenders good health and well-being for the individual, the family, the community and the nation at large.
Over the recent years, The Gambia has registered significant improvements in reducing malaria infection, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates, partly ascribed to this regime of regular cleaning of our environment.We should therefore sustain these efforts instead of allow the gains to be rolled back through complacency.
The Government hereby strictly warns that all residents throughout the country – in all villages, towns and regions – must strictly adhere to the ethos of not just cleaning our environment on national cleaning days but at all times as required.
The Government also warns that it will not tolerate the violation of the rules of the cleaning period by engaging in worthless and anti-social behaviors instead of cleaning their environment.
National Environment Agency officials, law enforcement officers and local authorities at the regional, municipal, district and village levels are instructed to diligently execute these instructions.
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 22 Oct 2015 : 00:05:12
Couldn't agree more,BUT no alternatives have been offered to Gambians , WHY ? surely there is a great opportunity for someone to sell other material products that do the same as a plastic bag?
Maybe......... the question is WHAT !!! 
quote:
Originally posted by rassimian
I came across this on the internet recently at www.thecreatorsproject.vice.com "The Prophecy", a film about the environment in Senegal. It reinforces the idea that the wholesale use of plastic bags is REALLY BAD for the environment. The same applies to the Gambia. It is worth viewing.
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| rassimian |
Posted - 21 Oct 2015 : 17:42:21
I came across this on the internet recently at www.thecreatorsproject.vice.com "The Prophecy", a film about the environment in Senegal. It reinforces the idea that the wholesale use of plastic bags is REALLY BAD for the environment. The same applies to the Gambia. It is worth viewing. |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 08 Jul 2015 : 21:06:28
OK Now we know that The Gambian Environment Agency are the people responsible for dealing with plastic bags,but does that include enforcement ? Very difficult to do I should think :
FULL STORY
National and Environment Agency (NEA) recently conducted a day inventory exercise to enforce the ban on plastic bags, in the greater Banjul Area.
The exercise was done by NEA staff and director of Intercept Oral Network at the NEA, Momodou Suwareh, the police immigration, customs officers and journalists.
During the inventory exercise 9 places were visited, known to be stores of major plastic importers in the county.
While many have disposed of their stocks of plastic bags, two - Alasan Jallow and Momodou Saikou Jallow - were found with some in their stores in Banjul.
A bale of 1000 plastic bags was found in Momodou Saikou Jallow’s store but he told reporters that those were stocks kept waiting for vehicles to transport them to Senegal.
Both importers were strictly warned by the officers to immediately find ways to dispose of their stocks of plastics.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter at Gam Plash Company, the director of climate Change at the NEA, Momodou Suwareh, said plastic bags are numerous in the country and it was well-known by every Gambian that plastics are a major problem to the country.
He said the indiscriminate disposal of plastics in town is causing serious harm to the country’s ecosystem, affecting the land and agriculture, animal husbandry, aquatic organisms and human existence through carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases.
He also said dumpsites are getting bigger and bigger across the country giving room for more creation of bacteria and pathogens that are harmful to human and animal health.
Moreover, when the plastics are burnt they produce gases that are “very detrimental” to the human health, he added.
Burning plastic bags is negatively affecting the environment because it causes climate change problem, he said.
In The Gambia there so many people experiencing respiratory and cancer problem, he pointed out. “This is all caused by the burning of plastic bags,” he added.
He advised dealers, agents and customers dealing in plastic bags in the country to cease forthwith.
Author: Yai Dibba
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/nea-checks-on-major-plastic-importers-producers-in-the-gambia |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 04 Jul 2015 : 02:50:45
Manufacturers, Producers Cease Operations
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/5975#more-5975 |
| Momodou |
Posted - 02 Jul 2015 : 14:18:08
Gov’t urged to bring alternatives to plastic bags
By Adama K. Jallow
The Point: Published on Thursday, July 02, 2015
The Gambia government should, without delay, bring possible alternatives and substitutes to plastic bags, vendors at the Serekunda market have said.
The vendors said that in the meantime, while there are yet to be any substitute, the government should allow them to use small plastic bags to sell things like sugar, powdered soap and other small items that are sold in plastic bags.
The vendors were speaking to our reporter who was out-and-about at the Serekunda market to gather views on the government’s directive banning the use and importation of plastic bags in The Gambia, which started in earnest on 1 July 2015.
However, even though most of the vendors who spoke to The Point are unlettered, they acknowledged the negative consequences of indiscriminate use and throwing of plastic bags in the community.
Yahya Bah, a vendor, said the government should bring in substitutes to plastic bags immediately; otherwise it would be difficult for them in their businesses.
More than 90 per cent of small businesses depend on plastic bags to put goods in for customers.
“So we are urging the government to allow us to use some plastic bags, especially the small ones, and ban the big ones,” said Yahya, who works in a water purification factory commonly known as ‘Naan’.
He lamented that the total ban on plastic bags would lead them to bankruptcy, as it is only in plastic bags they can sell water at a price everyone can afford.
Ousainou Sowe, a sour milk vendor, said banning plastic bags in its entirety would make business difficult for people like him.
He called on the government to bring in an affordable substitute and, in the meantime, allow them to use the small plastic bags. |
| gambiabev |
Posted - 09 Jun 2015 : 05:59:31
The less plastic we ALL use the better for the planet. I've recently been to Scotland, where there are NO FREE plastic bags anywhere. You have to pay if you don't take a bag with you. Many places have replaced plastic with paper or reusable bags. I try to remember to take my 'bags for life' when I go to the supermarket. Any plastic bags I get I try to reuse.
Packaging on food items in the west is a big issue and needs to be cut down. In Gambia, most people buy at the market, so there is much less packaging.
We only have one planet, so for future generations and for the other animals we share the planet with, we need to be taking action now.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 27 May 2015 : 23:06:03
Plastic manufacturers in limbo
By Sailu Bah
Foroyaa: Publised on May 27, 2015
Manufacturers of plastic bags have expressed concern over the degree of uncertainty they face regarding the definition of plastic bags following the announcement of a ban on the use and importation of plastic bags.
Such ban announced by the office of the president is to take effect as from 1 July 2015.
A manufacturer has expressed concern that government clarifies the kind of plastic that is banned. He drew the distinction between ordinary plastic bags and industrial packaging plastic. ¡§We want to know exactly what kind of plastic bag, is it the one just for shopping only, or does it include the industrial package plastics?¡¨ He also raised an alarm that if industrial packaging bags are also banned, it will cause thousands of people to lose their jobs and sources of income.
He also argued that industrial plastic package can be recycled if a lot of investment is put in it. He said some companies collect used plastic and recycle it to make plastic bags or other forms of plastic from it. According to him, ¡¨Plastic recycling can help in controlling the environment from the dangers of plastics.¡¨
He reiterated his call for the Authority to clear their doubts in making sure they understand what kind of plastic bags are banned.
He cited countries such as South Africa, 2010, Bostwana, Uganda, Kenya, Eretria, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda in 2012, Congo in 2011, that have banned plastic used for shopping and substituted it with other forms of bags for shopping purposes. But he added that the industrial packaging bags have not been banned because those ones are used for recycling purpose.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 12 May 2015 : 22:05:18
The ban on plastic bag use
The Point Editorial: Published on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
In less than two months the Gambian nation will come to grips with the reality of having to do away to a large extent with the use of plastic bags, if the recent ban on the importation and use of plastic bags in the country takes effect from July 1 this year, as announced by the state authorities.
Though it may seem to be difficult to grapple with by the nation at the initial stage of its implementation, as it would also affect firms and businesses that engage in the trade of plastic bags, the move has a lot of good to our existence as a nation.
This is because the indiscriminate use of plastic bags in the country poses a “serious existentialist threat to the fragile ecosystem of the country and presents an unwarranted environmental eyesore,” and a lot more harm to us as a people.
It is, therefore, essential that we put out a piece by the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA) on the environmental impacts of plastic bag use.
The NTEPA gives a synopsis of the hazards of plastic bag use in a country. The hazards, it states, include danger to animal life, pacific trash vortex, litter problem, loss of resources, and greenhouse gases.
Danger to animal life, especially when they find their way into the sea.
Plastic bags are quite commonly mistaken for food by animals, especially when the bags carry food residues, are brightly coloured or are animated by the movement of water. A great variety of animals, land and especially marine, can choke to death on bags, experiencing much pain and distress. If swallowed whole, animals may not be able to digest real food and die a slow death from starvation or infection.
Pacific Trash Vortex
The amount of floating plastics in the world’s oceans is increasing dramatically. The Pacific Trash Vortex is a ‘gyre’ or vortex of marine litter in the North Pacific Ocean. The vortex is characterised by exceptionally high concentrations of suspended plastics, such as plastic bags, bottles, containers and other debris, that have been trapped by currents. It is now estimated to be twice the size of Texas. Its impact on marine ecosystems is catastrophic due to its toxic nature and threat to marine life.
Litter problem
Plastic bags are a highly visible, ugly component of litter. Local and State Governments around Australia spend more than $200 million per year picking up litter. If plastic bags continue to be used, the number of bags littering the environment will increase over time.
Loss of resources
Plastic bags are typically used for a short period of time but take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. While plastic bags can be recycled, only a tiny proportion of plastic bags are collected and reprocessed.
Greenhouse gases
Based on using ten lightweight plastic bags per week over a 2-year period, the greenhouse gas impact has more than three times the greenhouse gas impact of a reusable ‘green bag’.
A lightweight plastic bags consumes about 4.5 times more energy in its manufacture than reusable ‘green bags’.
Remember, however, that to get the full greenhouse gas benefit from a reusable ‘green bag’, it must be reused over 100 times.
Starch-based biodegradable (or ‘compostable’) bags consume less than one-third of the energy to produce as plastic alternatives, but emit marginally more carbon dioxide (CO2 - a greenhouse gas) as they decompose. However, unlike single use plastic bags, biodegradable bags will completely breakdown.
“Environmental pollution is an incurable disease. It can only be prevented.”
Barry Commoner
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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 02 May 2015 : 15:42:00
"She said unless there is a substitute to the plastic bags, she does not know how to sell the snacks and water."
"She revealed that this petty trade she is doing is what supports her family as a supplement to the meager income earned by her husband."
OK, yes a problem but there are alternatives,plastic bottles ,plastic enclosures,aluminum and waxed cardboard enclosures,the only problem is if plastic bags are done away with there is no other INEXPENSIVE method of containing foodstuffs and drinks,the water pouches on sale everywhere are these considered to be plastic bags?
The average Gambian salesperson does not have access to the resources to buy the alternative to the plastic bag,so what will happen? will all the sales people and food vendors be driven out of business and the big boys in the retail market be the only ones able to afford the correct packaging after July 1st 2015 and the extra costs incurred which as usual are passed onto the customer in the form of price increase.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 28 Apr 2015 : 13:56:22
Vendors, Consumers seek for substitute to banned plastic bags
By Sailu Bah
Foroyaa: Published on April 27, 2015
Vendors as well as consumers who use plastic bags as containers for the stuff they sell or buy are calling on the authorities to provide a substitute following the announcement of the banning of the use of plastics in the country, effective 1 July, 2015.
A press release issued by the president’s office on Monday, 20th April 2015, and read on state television, announced a complete ban on the importation and use of plastic bags in the country. According to the release, “the indiscriminate use of plastic bags in the Gambia poses a serious existentialist threat to the fragile ecosystem of the country and presents an unwarranted environmental eyesore. Plastic bags are also responsible for suffocation deaths of sea and land animals as well as inhibiting soil nutrients.”
This development has, however, prompted the reaction of people who depended on the plastic bags of various types to sell their goods or to use as containers when they purchase certain things. They have all indicated that the government should have considered the introduction of a substitute to plastic bags before announcing the ban.
This reporter went round to the markets and streets to check with vendors whose trade depends on the use of plastic bags as well as shoppers, such as market women, who have been using it as containers.
Fatoumata Jallow, a vendor, who sells cakes, roasted groundnuts and cold water in plastic bags, said the ban means the end of business for her as she has no alternative.
“If plastic bags are banned, where can I put the snacks and water to sell?” she asked.
She said unless there is a substitute to the plastic bags, she does not know how to sell the snacks and water.
“Putting the food I sell to customers on paper is not hygienic at all,” said Fatoumata.
She revealed that this petty trade she is doing is what supports her family as a supplement to the meager income earned by her husband.
“We do not support anything that is harmful to the environment as they have said in the announcement but there should be a substitute to enable people like me to continue with our petty trade and sell food in a hygienic condition and earn something to support the livelihood of our poor families,” she concluded.
Fatoumata said she also supports two of her kids who are going to school with the little income she earns from the petty trade she is doing.
Isatou Bojang, a housewife found shopping at the main Serekunda market, said the ban will cause inconvenience to them as most of the things they buy are put in plastic bags. “The rice, cooking oil, pepper and vegetables that we always buy retail in the market are all put in plastic bags. It means we are now going to carry extra loads, such as bottles for these different types of foodstuff,” she said.
A shop owner, who prefers anonymity, said he is not opposed to the ban of plastic bags but that there should be an alternative or at least a reasonable period of notice longer than what they have given to enable them to adjust gradually.
“It will not be easy for us if there are no other options. I understand that there are bags or containers made out of paper that are introduced recently in the market and which can be used as containers, but they are not of quality,” he said.
Muhammed Ndow, who contested as candidate for the New Town East Ward councillorship election in Banjul, suggested that the government can think about bringing a factory where plastic bags can be recycled. “This factory can help in the creation of employment as well as protect the environment from the harmful effects of plastic bags,” he said. |
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