Makers of non-degradable plastic shopping bags are asking the government to delay a ban of thin wrappings by another 12 months to help them clear their stocks and upgrade their factories.

Everywhere: Plastic bags have become part of the shopping experience in Cameroon. When a ban goes operational on 24 April 2014, hawkers will be among the hardest hit Everywhere: Plastic bags have become part of the shopping experience in Cameroon. When a ban goes operational on 24 April 2014, hawkers will be among the hardest hit The small disposable black and transparent wrappings widely used in shops and markets across the country will become illegal on Thursday, when the government ban becomes operational.

Plastics can last for up to 1000 years once released into nature and environmentalists say during that time they destroy habitats, render soils infertile and cause other harm to the environment.

Cameroonians dumps about 600,000 tons of plastics wastes into the environment annually, says the ministry of environment, which is now implementing a law passed as far back as 1996.

The ministry of environment had already given importers and manufacturers up to a year to phase out plastic wrappings and are unlikely to grant the request made on Monday in Douala.

Bed of Plastics: River Mfoundi has shrunk over the years because of encroachment buts its plastics that have chucked its duct Bed of Plastics: River Mfoundi has shrunk over the years because of encroachment buts its plastics that have chucked its duct Over the past months, the minister of environment Helle Pierre has been touring the country to explain the decision, which will affect mostly micro and small businesses.

Given out freely by shopkeepers, disposable plastics wrappings have become part of the shopping experience in the country over the years. As the deadline for their use draws close, there is no sense that those plastics will disappear from circulation any time soon.

The grouping of plastics makers called AC2P says they imported 40,000 tons of plastics and plastics making materials last year. But the vast majority of plastics used in the country come in illegally from neighboring countries like Nigeria.

Authorities are urging the population to shift to other environmentally friendly alternatives like biodegradable plastics, paper, reusable shopping bags, fiber-based sacks and even banana leaves.

By Eugene N Nforngwa