Hundreds of Rwandans on Sunday marched in the capital city of Kigali to encourage the public to join the effort to address plastic pollution.
The march, organized by the ministry of environment through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is part of activities of the 2018 national environment week and World Environment Day due on June 5.
The “Beat Plastic Pollution Walk” offered a great opportunity to demonstrate Rwanda’s commitment to improving health and environment by ending the use of single-use plastics and addressing plastic waste, said REMA director general Coletha Ruhamya at the event.
Ruhamya urged Rwandans to reject using single-use plastics including plastic straws, cups, plates and bottles, and find sustainable alternatives.
Rwanda on May 29 launched the national environment week featuring different awareness activities aimed at addressing plastic pollution, such as countrywide inspection of the illegal use of plastic bags and exhibition on plastic recycling.
The event will be concluded on June 5 on World Environment Day.
For more than a decade, Rwanda has raised awareness about the benefits of life without plastic bags to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
In 2008, the landlocked country passed a law banning importation and use of polythene bags, which also stipulates heavy penalties for their use or smuggling them into the country.
REMA now encourages Rwandans to live without disposable plastics to make the world a better place for today and future generations.
