The plastic bag ban came into effect on Monday. Photo/the-star.co.ke

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Environmental activists have praised the government on enforcing the plastic ban law starting Monday.

Conservationists have assured state of their support in a bid to make the ban a success reiterating their messages of gratitude for the bold move by the government.state of their support in a bid to make the ban a success reiterating their messages of gratitude for the bold move by the government.state of their support in a bid to make the ban a success reiterating their messages of gratitude for the bold move by the government.state of their support in a bid to make the ban a success reiterating their messages of gratitude for the bold move by the government.

The ban took effect on Monday August 28, 2017.

The Green Belt Movement and Greenpeace Africa on Monday said the ban -announced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu on February 28 was long overdue.

 “This is a beacon of hope in fostering an environmentally conscious society and is a clear message that Kenya is ready to join other African countries in taking bold steps on environmental,” Greenpeace Africa’s Executive Director Njeri Kabeberi told local press in a statement.

Ms Kabeberi noted that plastic bags are highly toxic besides damaging the ecosystem. She said the bags do take hundreds of years to degrade, a real challenge for the environment.

Green Belt Movement’s board chairperson Marion Kamau said:  “The ban will contribute greatly to reducing the effects associated with the use and improper disposal of plastics.”

 According to Ms Kabeberi, Kenyans need to adopt 100 percent re-usable and eco-friendly alternative packaging materials in the market like the Ms Kabeberi, Kenyans need to adopt 100 percent re-usable and eco-friendly alternative packaging materials in the market like the kiondo. She contrasted the kiondo bags with the traditional Tunisian baskets called koffa that are used for shopping.

Koffa came into use in the North African country after Tunisia banned plastic bags in March.

Ms Kabeberi pleaded with the government to work with local communities and NGOs to look for sustainable ways of recycling existing plastics into usable items.

Manufacturers lost a legal bid last week to oppose the ban’s implementation.