The municipal council in Rumbek, South Sudan, has implemented a ban on plastic bags and used bottles, sparking concerns among traders and residents. The ban, which took effect on October 26, 2026, aims to protect the environment and improve sanitation in the town. However, traders and residents warn that the high cost of alternative packaging and difficulties carrying goods could increase expenses for businesses and create challenges for customers.
According to Younis Adam Ahmed, a trader in Rumbek market, the council's order has been received and is being implemented. However, Ahmed raised concerns about the high cost of new nylon bags imported from Uganda compared to conventional polythene bags. This has led to worries that the increased costs will be passed on to customers, making it harder for them to afford basic goods.
Mary Ajak, a resident, expressed concerns that the new order is not favorable to customers. She noted that using pieces of paper to package sugar and flour, or nylon bags that cannot properly hold these items, could result in people losing the goods they had purchased, especially when traveling long distances. Ajak added that the council should reconsider public concerns about the orders, as they affect not only traders but also customers.
Rumbek Town Mayor Kuol Mathubier Kucdhal stated that the ban on plastic bags was intended to protect the environment and improve sanitation in the town. He cited concerns about the misuse of plastic bags to dispose of human waste, which could expose residents to health risks and worsen sanitation conditions. Mathubier said traders had been advised to use nylon bags and other environmentally friendly alternatives instead of conventional plastic bags.
The mayor also prohibited the reuse of plastic containers for selling milk, cooking oil, and other liquids, citing concerns that the containers could be contaminated before being collected and resold. Mathubier warned that milk sold in contaminated containers could put consumers' health at risk. He emphasized that the council would not tolerate traders exploiting customers and would take action against those who refused small-denomination South Sudanese pound notes and charged excessive fees for mobile money transactions.
Rumbek Municipal Council Health Inspector James Magok Akec said milk traders had been instructed to use appropriate containers, while customers were encouraged to bring their own jugs or buckets when purchasing milk. Magok warned that plastic bags could harm children and livestock if accidentally swallowed and that traders who continued using the prohibited items could face fines of up to 200,000 South Sudanese pounds and legal action.
The council's measures aim to protect consumers and improve hygiene in the local market. Magok emphasized that the order is effective and that traders who violate it will be taken to court. The ban on plastic bags and used bottles is part of the council's efforts to reduce environmental pollution and public health risks in Rumbek.
Key points
- The ban on plastic bags and used bottles aims to protect the environment and improve sanitation in Rumbek.
- Traders and residents raise concerns about the high cost of alternative packaging and difficulties carrying goods.
- The council warns that traders who continue using prohibited items could face fines and legal action.
