Ethiopia just leveled up its environmental game! The country kicked off 2026 with a bold move: a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags that took effect yesterday. 💪 This crackdown targets production, sales, and use of these eco-villains – think of it as Ethiopia's real-life 'plastic purge.'
'The harm they cause today will shape the future we leave behind,' warned Lelise Neme, head of Ethiopia's Environmental Protection Authority. With plastic bags making up 46% of public waste, officials are swapping 'reduce, reuse, recycle' for 'remove, replace, regulate.'
Here's the tea: After Parliament approved the law in June 2025, businesses got six months to adapt. Now, individuals caught using plastic bags face $32 fines – that's like 20+ cups of Ethiopian coffee! ☕ Retailers and manufacturers risk even steeper penalties.
But not everyone's cheering. While eco-warriors praise the move, some worry about accessibility. 'Where's the affordable alternative?' asks Addis Ababa resident Tewodros Bekele. Paper bags remain scarce, and reusable options aren't evenly distributed nationwide.
This plastic revolution comes after months of TikTok-style awareness campaigns showing how microplastics invade soil, water, and even kids' playgrounds. Will Ethiopia's bold move inspire other nations? 🌱 Only time – and strict enforcement – will tell.
