Legislation prohibiting the use of lightweight plastic bags comes into effect in Senegal

On 4 January 2016 the law on plastic bags, ratified by Parliament in 2014, came into effect. The law contains two series of provisions, the first of which is aimed at fighting the detrimental effects of plastic bags, and the second, at promoting rational management of plastic wastes. The law had been promulgated by Head of State Macky Sall, on 4 July 2015.

President Macky Sall stated that he would propose a date for a national collection day.

At the close of the first edition of the National Conference on Sustainable Development, the theme of which was “Cities and Sustainable Territories”, the President of the Republic stated that: “Plastic destroys soils, kills animals and puts the populations’ health at risk. I invite the Government, after the transition phase, to move to actual enforcement of the law”. The State of Senegal implements a range of projects and programmes aimed at speeding up economic growth, curbing poverty and improving quality of life for its citizens, incorporating issues in respect for the environment, which is part of its development strategy, the Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PES) and its sector-specific programmes enabling sustainable natural and environmental resource management. Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987), and implies harmonious integration of a rational and viable economy, responsible governance, accountability on the part of the populations, social cohesion and environmental integrity.

The law on the prohibition of mbouss

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