Daily News does not publish on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Please email your comments to DailyNews@gov.bw

From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

Archive by year

Some supermarkets, consumers, government and council officials have embraced the gesture by the Selebi-Phikwe Multi-Sectoral Anti-Litter Committee as they view it as a way of reducing litter and conserving the environment.

Blessing Mutangabende, the councils principal health inspector, said the idea is a pilot project for now but did not rule out the possibility of it being permanent considering that it is getting a positive response from all sections of the society.

The anti-litter committee that comprises Selebi-Phikwe Town Council, BCL, non-governmental organisations, government departments, private companies and ward development associations, resolved during its meeting of July 12, this year to ban the issuing of plastic bags at major shopping centres until December 31, this year.

The ban was effected on Monday. Mutangabende said when the project comes to an end, it will be up to the council to decide what to do next.

He said maybe the council may enact a bye-law regarding the matter. He explained that the first ban on plastic bags running from June 20 to June 25 this year had been a successful pilot project that needed to be continued. Littering had been reduced.

Raja Ganesh, the manager of Spar Supermarket, said: I think the system should spread to other towns.

Once it is proved suitable for Selebi-Phikwe and capable of reducing litter, it can be replicated in other parts of Botswana to keep the environment clean, thus reducing health hazards for the nation.

One of the consumers, Gale Bogale, who stays at BCL expressed shock, saying it exposes consumers to criminals because they can see what they have bought.

Bogale said although plastics contribute a lot to littering, the council should increase its personnel to clean up the environment instead of banning plastic bags.

Another consumer, Hildah Modubeki, said she supported the idea of banning plastic bags because littering spreads diseases.

Archive by year