Namibians to cough up for plastic bags

Namibians will soon have to pay for plastic shopping bags.Although it is not yet clear when the new levy will be introduced, the cabinet confirmed yesterday Namibia would follow in South Africa's footsteps in this regard. Deputy information minister Engel Nawatiseb briefed the media yesterday on a range of cabinet decisions.He said the cabinet had approved the introduction of an environmental levy on plastic carrier bags, with 100% of the revenue accruing to the Environmental Investment Fund to reinvest in improved waste management practices. Cabinet also approved a ban on the import and domestic production of plastic bags that contain carbon acid calcium salt, as well as the use of plastic bags in protected areas.According to Nawatiseb, the cabinet committee on trade and economic development made these recommendations and they were endorsed. He said the cabinet authorised the environment and finance ministries to draft these regulations in terms of the Customs and Excise Act of 1998, the Environmental Investment Fund Act of 2001 and the Environmental Management Act of 2007. Environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the public would be informed before the levy would be implemented. “It will not be immediately; the modalities first have to be worked out.” Some shops in Namibia already sell reusable cloth bags. Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has been outspoken about the banning of plastic bags in Namibia. He recently said regulations to reduce the use of plastic bags in Namibia would be finalised within this financial year. He said these measures may include banning or taxing plastic bags.The tourism sector has also started a campaign to reduce the use of plastic in the country. Plastic bags have become very common in Namibia because they are cheap and easily accessible.However, they can have a severe impact on the environment if not properly disposed of.A person uses a plastic bag on average for only 12 minutes, while it can take up to 1 000 years to degrade in the environment.The amount of petroleum used to make a single plastic bag can be used to drive a car about 115 metres.Globally, it is estimated that five trillion plastic bags are used per year. This equates to 160 000 plastic bags per second, while less than 1% of these are recycled.ELLANIE SMIT

Namibians to cough up for plastic bags

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Namibians to cough up for plastic bags

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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