These African countries have banned or restricted the use of plastic bags

Photo: The Green Vision Newspaper

Cameroon

In October 2012, Cameroon banned non-biodegradable plastic bags, giving the manufacturers and users until March 2014 to stop using them.

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However, the project faced a number of challenges, with authorities blaming cross-border smuggling of the banned plastic.  A new law was however planned later in 2014 that will target small consumers and microbusiness owners and which will earn, anyone using plastics several weeks in jail or a fine of about $30.

The bags are still in circulation if this report about 1500kg of plastic bags seized in Douala is anything to go by.