ADDIS ABABA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR), the lower chamber of parliament, on Tuesday approved a bill that bans single-use plastic bags.
Under the new law, individuals found using or distributing single-use plastic bags face fines of up to 5,000 Ethiopian birr (about 38.7 U.S. dollars), while manufacturers, importers, and marketers could face steeper penalties or suspension of licenses.
"This is a necessary and long-overdue step," said Gemedo Dalle, minister of environment, forest, and climate change, during a press briefing following the parliamentary vote.
"Plastic pollution is choking our rivers, poisoning livestock, and polluting farmlands. Ethiopia must act now before it becomes unmanageable," Dalle said.
Ahead of the parliamentary vote, it was noted that a nationwide public awareness campaign will be launched shortly, aiming to educate citizens about the details of the new law.
According to data obtained from the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, plastic bags constitute 46 percent of the plastic waste generated by the public in the East African country.
