Reduced Plastics

In 2004, Rwanda initiated efforts to address the environmental impact of plastic

wastei, focusing initially on its detrimental effects such as water channel blockage, flooding,
biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and air pollution from waste burning, which can contribute
to greenhouse gas emissions. The campaign began with community awareness-raising and
behavior change initiatives to highlight the negative consequences of plastic use. Various
channels, including community work (Umuganda) and print and online media, were utilized
to engage all stakeholders, including private and security sectors, in implementing the plastic
bag ban. Strict laws were enacted in 2008 and 2019, imposing penalties and enforcement
measures not only on manufactures and citizens but also on foreigners visiting Rwanda.
Repeat offenders face doubled penalties.
To ensure fairness in law enforcement, exceptions are made for the private sector with
authorization from the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) under
Rwandan Ministry of Environment, particularly for packaging meat, chicken, and milled
cassava leaves for refrigeration. The list of permissible polyethylene bags is subject to
updates as needed. Additionally, the government introduced biodegradable alternatives made
from bamboo and paper to local factories. However, the use of paper-based alternatives
sparked controversy due to concerns about deforestation, prompting Rwanda to implement
progressive reforestation plans. One of them is a 10-year tree planting initiative.
While paper bags may be fragile compared to plastic ones, they are still preferred due
to their ability to decompose relatively quickly and prevent water clogging. However, despite
these advantages, there are currently no recycling facilities for paper bags. The government is
actively searching for better alternatives. In accordance with recommendations favoring
reusable options with lower environmental impact, Rwanda's national Beat Plastic Pollution
campaign, led by REMA, emphasizes the adoption of traditional practices such as handmade
sisal baskets.
Although the journey towards achieving a zero-pollution goal is ongoing, Rwanda has
made significant progress, with Kigali becoming the cleanest city in Africa, boosting tourism
and creating jobs. In 2019 an estimate of 1,219,529 international tourists visited the country,
as a result within the sector almost 89,607 jobs exist (Odunga, Manyara, Yobesia, 2020) ii.
Despite challenges such as the plastic bag black market and increased costs of alternative
packaging, Rwanda's ban on single-use plastics has yielded positive outcomes, setting an
example for other countries.
However, Rwanda's reduced plastics solution, while impactful locally, may not have
significant global emissions reduction compared to other solutions, as indicated by data from
Reduced Plastics

Project Drawdowniii. Despite having relatively low emissions intensity, Rwanda's annual CO2
emissions have increased steadily from 515,760 tonnes in 2004 to 1.55 million tonnes in
2022iv, with the agriculture sector being the largest emitter due to soil cultivation emissions,
followed by energy and industrial processesv.
There is ongoing debate surrounding Rwanda's stringent laws, which include
mandatory community service, known as Umuganda. This debate considers the potential for
these laws to serve as a model for other countries, taking into account Rwanda's population
size and homogeneous interests. Also, the effectiveness of Rwanda's ban on single-use
plastics in reducing CO2 emissions remains uncertain due to limited research. While the ban
has undoubtedly had positive effects on cleanliness and other direct impacts, its contribution
to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions appears less pronounced.
Ensuring that the government continues to position itself as a leading example in the
region by implementing comprehensive bans on plastics would undoubtedly result in
significant reductions in CO2 emissions. It is imperative to recognize that pollution knows no
borders, and thus, integrating these efforts on a wider scale is crucial. Despite Africa's current
relatively low plastic consumption compared to the global average, projections indicate a
steady increase, with an estimated 165 million tonnes of plastic waste expected in the
continent by 2030vi. Therefore, proactive measures at both national and regional levels are
essential to mitigate the environmental impact and address the escalating challenge of plastic
pollution.
Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge that Rwanda possesses a unique
demographic characteristic, with 75% of its population being youth. This demographic
makeup underscores Rwanda's adaptability to alternative practices and policies, showcasing
the potential for successful implementation of sustainable initiatives. However, it's important
to note that this characteristic may not be directly transferrable to other countries, each of
which has its own demographic composition and societal dynamics.
i
https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Rwanda_A-global-leader-in-plastic-pollution-
reduction_April-2021.pdf
ii
Odunga, P. O., Manyara, G., & Yobesia, M. (2020). Estimating the direct contribution of tourism to Rwanda’s economy:
Tourism satellite account methodology. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 20(3), 259-271.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1467358419857786
iii
https://drawdown.org/solutions/table-of-solutions
iv
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/annual-co2-emissions-per-country?country=~RWA
v
https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/rep_of_rwanda_greenhouse_gas.pdf
vi
Moyen Massa, Gilbert, and Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki. 2024. "An Imported Environmental Crisis: Plastic
Mismanagement in Africa" Sustainability 16, no. 2: 672. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020672