Environmental principal secretary Charles Sunkuli.[Photo/Nation]
The environmental watchdog will not ban the use, manufacture, sale and importation of plastic bottles until the government gives guidelines.
The National Environment and Management Authority had initially given manufacturers up to April to install collection points across the country failing which they were to effect the ban.
Environmental principal secretary Charles Sunkuli stated on Tuesday that the government is still cpming up with guidelines in regards to the ban.
“I wish to clarify that the ministry has not mooted any plans to ban plastic bottles by April and instead has approached the problem from establishing a take-back scheme,” he said.
“We are still working on a take-back scheme and the guidelines will be ready by April. It is after that that we will be able to say exactly when the ban on plastic bottle will be effected.”
Data from the Environment ministry shows that approximately 50 million bottles are used yearly in the country.
Mr Sunkuli mentioned that the scheme will involve collecting waste bottles and selling them for recycling and also added that although plastic bags ban has recorded 80 per cent success rate, some traders were still using them.
He said the government would close all markets where traders go against the plastic bag ban.“Some traders across the country are still operating in this illegal business. I want to assure you that we will work with relevant government agencies and where necessary close all these markets.”