Formed from carbon and hydrogen atoms, and also known as polyethylene, plastic bags are widely used by people in their daily life. From the house to the grocery store, we can see plastic bags everywhere we go. People choose to use plastic bags as they are convenient, cheap and easily available to everyone.

However, since the early 2000s, scientists and environmentalists have gathered mounting evidence that plastic is not good for the environment and people’s health. Plastic bag manufacturing emits harmful chemical gases into the air and water, contributing to the amount of overall pollution. Aside from that, improper management of the use and disposal of plastic bags also contributes to such pollution. Humans, animals and plants must consume air and water because these are their basic needs, but many of these resources are now toxic. Water pollution has a devastating impact on marine life: one such example is decomposing plastic bags breaking down into tiny particles that will be eaten by fish, which will likely die as a result. People in the fishing industry eventually suffer as a result of the loss of their sources of income from fishing activities.

In response, scientists and environmentalists have collaborated to develop reusable or biodegradable bags to replace conventional plastic bags. Aside from that, they continue to educate people about the negative consequences of using plastic bags to make them aware of the problem. They also continue to encourage consumers to find alternatives. The effort to limit the use of plastic bags has also piqued the interest of those involved in the legal system. As a result, many countries have proposed new laws, rules and treaties to be imposed at the state or international level to aid in the control of plastic bag use.

This is evident through the participation of over 80 countries in either fully or partially banning plastic bags. For example, Kenya has enforced the strictest law of all nations to ensure they can completely eliminate the use of plastic bags in their countries1. They have banned the use of plastic bags along with the manufacture and importation for commercial and household use, through their Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act. A person can be fined up to $38,000 US dollars and imprisoned for up to four years if they are caught producing, selling or simply carrying the plastic bags. Nevertheless, due to the high adherence to the law by the citizens so far, it proves that people can live without plastic bags and manage to find alternatives to replace them. Other countries can adopt the same policy as Kenya to ensure the strategy of controlling and reducing the use of plastic bags is effective in conserving the environment. If Kenya’s policies seem drastic, other governments can start by imposing high taxes on plastic bags and establishing policies that encourage citizens to bring their own reusable bags for grocery shopping. In addition, the government and environmental NGOs can cooperate to give out free reusable grocery bags in the early stage of eliminating plastic bags in their countries.

Kenya is not the only African country to ban the use of plastic bags; there are now more than 34 countries in Africa adopting the same regulation. Kenya is leading the way in enforcing the regulations and they have come a long way on this journey. Following Kenya’s example, Rwanda has announced that it aims to become the world’s first plastic-free country. Their ban on plastic bags has worked well and the United Nations even declared the capital, Kigali, as the cleanest city in the world. Following that, their citizens thanked Rwanda’s government for the regulations to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2008. African nations have shown that law can be an important mechanism in effectively eliminating plastic bags. The fear of sanctions has forced people to follow the regulations and find alternatives to replace the non-biodegradable plastic bag.

The existence of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can be employed in controlling and reducing the use of plastic bags on a global scale. This is because this convention’s main objective is to protect human health and the environment from POPs contained in plastic bags2. POPs will remain in the environment for long periods of time after being released. They can be spread widely throughout the environment and accumulate in the fatty tissue of both humans and wildlife3. In enforcing the Stockholm Convention, the parties involved are required to implement control measures to reduce and eliminate POPs in the environment. Aside from that, parties are required to limit trade in goods containing POPs. As plastic bags contain POPs, the parties who ratify this convention will also be required to limit the use and production of plastic bags in their respective countries. Hence, it is clear that the ratification of the Stockholm Convention will be helpful to control and reduce the global use and production of plastic bags.

The idea of Norway’s climate and environment minister in the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) to have an international agreement on plastic pollution is also a great measure to control the production and use of plastic bags. UNEA-5 was conducted with the objective of launching negotiations on plastic pollution and growing support for the international plastic treaty. A treaty relating to plastic pollution is needed as the world continues to produce tons of plastic every year, and this is expected to double in the future. Moreover, the marine pollution caused by plastic will also worsen the situation if no further action is taken. It was assured that the countries will begin the negotiations for a plastic pollution treaty right after the UNEA-5. The treaty relating to plastic pollution will be officially enforced in 2022 or 2023, depending on the Covid-19 situation4.

The treaty will focus on these aspects: reducing the production and consumption of plastic; reducing the usage of toxic chemicals; avoiding false solutions; investing in reuse and refill logistics; and encouraging zero-waste cities. Every country should support the efforts to deliver this framework through international collaboration and agreement. This framework will be beneficial in governing matters relating to plastic pollution and aiding the achievement of sustainable development. From the alternatives provided by the scientists and environmentalists to replace plastic bags, to the enforcement of law and treaties at the national and international level, various efforts have been made to control the production and use of plastic bags. To ensure the success of these efforts, every country and every person on the planet has to work together. All these efforts will be futile unless there is total cooperation.

1 Parker, L. (June 8, 2021). Global treaty to regulate plastic pollution gains momentum National Geographic.
2 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (n.d.). Office of Environmental Quality.
3 Overview of the Stockholm Convention (n.d.)
4 Langrand, M. (March 1, 2021). A new global treaty to tackle plastic pollution Geneva Solutions.