Plastic bag ban in Rwanda - re-usable bags allowed?
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Oct 16, 2012 6:53 AM Last Post By: mathowny
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Plastic bag ban in Rwanda - re-usable bags allowed?
Does anyone know if ALL plastic bags will be confiscated when entering Rwanda? I've read that Rwanda banned the thin, single-use plastic bags - which I think is GREAT - but will they make you remove ANY plastic bags?I would be desperate! Because I usually put my stuff in big reusable plastic zip-lock bags. This helps seperating shirts from underwear (and because I use transparent bags, I see, what's in there), keeps the odors from worn clothes from the fresh items, and keeps everything dry when the backpack gets wet (which might occur). ;) And, of course, I re-use them many times.
For my electronic gear, I use one of these stronger waterproof bags. They have plastic inside, but look more like proper "bags".
I could buy more of those, but they are quite pricey and the material can be pretty stiff, which is not very useful for backpacks.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!
1
Don´t worry - it´s not like they get through your baggage in a hunt for plastic bags at the border. The ban concerns the thin plastic bags you will usually be given at local market, later finding the shreds flying around streets and hanging in thorn bushes (President Kagame likes tidiness). And of course, it is a good thing ecology-wise. So your zip-loc and strong waterproof bags are safe. Btw, theoretically there is also a ban of plastic bags in Uganda and Kenya - not that anything has changed there. you still find the thin plastic bags just everywhere.I haven´t been to Rwanda recently but would guess they push the ban through a bit more than elsewhere in East Africa.2
In Rwanda right now. Came in through the Kigali airport. Nobody checked our bags for plastic bags.3
The above posters reflect my experience too. Our bags (checked or hand carried) were not checked for plastic bags and I had a lot of stuff in ziploc bags. I think if you happened to be carrying one through the airport, they might take it, so just bring a reusable bag for any shopping and such. I wondered about this before I left, but it is the shopkeepers who cannot have those bags - not so much a tourist with some in their luggage.BTW...you will find Rwanda a very beautiful and clean country too. Have a great trip!
