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Tanzania's war on plastic bags unlock new economic frontiers
What you need to know:
- Since 2019, the ban on plastic bags has empowered 30 thriving companies to lead in sustainable solutions, demonstrating that smart policy can drive both environmental protection and entrepreneurial growth
Dar es Salaam. The government’s bold decision to ban plastic bags has done more than simply clean up the environment—it has sparked a wave of innovation and unlocked fresh economic opportunities across the country.
Since 2019, the shift has empowered 30 thriving companies to lead in sustainable solutions, demonstrating that smart policy can drive both environmental protection and entrepreneurial growth.
Some of these developments include the establishment of industries producing alternative bags from paper, natural fibres, and recycled plastic waste, which is reprocessed in factories to manufacture various products.
Speaking to journalists ahead of this year’s World Environment Day—marked annually on June 5—the Director General of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Ms Immaculate Semesi, noted that the ban has contributed to increased employment and entrepreneurship, particularly among youth and women, through the rise of small and medium-sized enterprises involved in manufacturing plastic alternatives.
Ms Semesi emphasised that while most waste products, especially plastics, hold significant potential for reuse and reprocessing, the challenge lies in recognising and tapping into the opportunities they present.
She revealed that earlier this year, NEMC held discussions with a Turkish company, resulting in an agreement to reprocess plastic waste and generate energy—a project that is expected to commence soon.
“To ensure the smooth implementation of this initiative, we will prioritise raising public awareness on waste separation, integrating it into business strategies,” she said.
Speaking about this year’s World Environment Day, Ms Semesi explained that the occasion serves to honour the essence of environmental care and conservation, underlining that “our environment is our life.”
For 2025, Tanzania’s theme is Our Environment and the Future of Tanzania: Act Now, Curb Plastic Use.
The message comes at a critical time, as the country continues to grapple with challenges stemming from the use and mismanagement of plastic bags—challenges that threaten both human health and ecological systems.
“We cannot achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly Tanzania without taking decisive action now. Any delay will only result in greater, more costly damage to both the environment and the economy,” she said.
NEMC’s Legal Officer, Ms Mariam Mbarouk, added that careless littering remains widespread, underscoring the urgent need to better protect and manage waste sources.
According to her, various strategies have been implemented and are being executed by a dedicated task force.
For instance, NEMC imposes a fine of Sh20 million on any company found manufacturing plastic bags, Sh5 million for smuggling them, Sh600,000 for selling them, and Sh30,000—or seven days in jail—for individuals found using them.
