Sustainable Plastic waste in Kigali-Rwanda

In Rwanda, solid waste management especially plastic waste has been one of the priorities of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Rwanda Environmental Management Authority. In 2003 a ministerial order banning the importation and the use of plastic bags with the thickness of less than 60µm has been adopted as one of the recommendations from the study on polythene bags in Rwanda. Later on, in 2008, a Law relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use and sale of polythene bags in Rwanda was approved by the parliament. The implementation of this law has resulted in significant reduction of plastic waste in general and the use of plastic bags in particular. However, the lack of comprehensive legal and institutional frame work as well integrated strategy to deal with plastic waste has hampered all efforts aiming at addressing challenges related to plastic waste. Therefore, this research assessed the current situation in regards to plastic waste by identifying challenges and opportunities and proposes strategic actions for achieving sustainable plastic waste management in Kigali City