We can’t discuss the war against plastics without an honourable mention of the great nation of Rwanda which is known for its spotless city streets. Rwanda’s efforts toward waste management began with a 2008 ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags. The ban specifically targeted non-biodegradable plastic bags, including those made of polyethene. Retailers and consumers were prohibited from producing, importing, selling, or using these bags within the country. This ban was subsequently followed by the outlawing of single-use plastic items, as one of the long-term strategies for becoming a green and climate-resilient nation. The ban’s reach was limitless and aimed at minimising the dangers of plastic pollution to humans, farm animals, aquatic life and the environment. We may credit this success to the political influence across the country as the national motto for sustainable environmental management is: “Whatever cannot be recycled or reused must not be produced”.
Rwanda has jumped into the waste management fight with both feet. As a signatory to international conventions, Rwanda has adhered to its commitments to achieve ambitious changes in the use, management and disposal of plastics in the country. The best example of this is expressed with them being a signatory of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change like many African countries. Rwanda seeks to contribute to the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement as the management of plastic pollution in Rwanda falls within a wider strategic, regulatory and policy framework, which sets the foundation for the management of waste.
In Rwanda, they have understood that the only way to impact their city is with the help of the community. This is called “Umuganda.“ This is a Kinyarwanda word that means “coming together in common purpose”. It’s famously known to be a monthly community work known to include community cleanup that was in 1998 as part of the efforts to rebuild the country after the 1994 genocide. If that doesn’t inspire you then I don’t know what will. There are no lazy Saturdays in Rwanda as it takes place on the last Saturday of every month from 08:00 and last for at least three hours, with every able-bodied Rwandan aged 18 to 65 taking part.
We cannot credit Rwanda’s success to the community alone. A few innovators have risen as specialists in the field of plastic waste management. These include CareMeBioplastics and Toto Safi, both finalists in the Afri-Plastics Challenge. CareMeBioplastics prides itself in the collection and recycling of plastic, using a mobile app to collect the plastics from the end-users and processing the collected plastic, and turning the plastic waste into valuable items such as school desks, and both indoor and outdoor furniture. Toto Safi’s solution on the other hand provides a reusable cloth diaper service so that parents do not have to choose between convenience and pollution. This app gives parents an option to receive a fresh bundle of sterilised and affordable cloth diapers. We are left to only imagine the lengths Africa can take to improve our livelihood every day. Just these two innovators alone show us the endless possibilities we have as a continent if we simply put our minds to it. They also demonstrate the importance of public-private partnerships in plastic waste management.
“Whatever cannot be recycled or reused must not be produced”.
Rwanda national motto for sustainable environmental management