Guinea Lifts Plastic Ban

The Guinean government has lifted a ban on single-use plastics, specifically plastic water sachets, due to public outcry over lack of access to safe drinking water. The ban was initially enforced on September 20, but was lifted on October 7, and will be revisited in six months.

The Republic of Guinea passed a law to ban single-use plastics two years ago, but the enforcement of the ban led to a rise in the number of patients with water-borne diseases. This is because plastic water sachets are an essential way to provide people in Guinea with safe and affordable drinking water.

The cost of alternative options is a significant factor in the decision to lift the ban. A small bottle of water costs around CFA 3,000 (€4.50), while a water sachet of 400ml costs CFA 500 (€0.75). This price difference is substantial, especially considering that 3.7 million of Guinea's 15.1 million people live on less than $4.20 per day.

The government's decision to ban single-use plastics without providing an alternative solution for safe drinking water was met with public anger. Many citizens felt that the ban would leave them without access to safe drinking water, and that the government had not considered the potential consequences of the ban.

## Why it matters The lifting of the ban highlights the challenges faced by Guinea in balancing environmental concerns with the need to provide basic services to its citizens. The country has poor infrastructure and widespread poverty, according to the World Bank. The decision to lift the ban is a temporary solution, and the government will need to find a more permanent solution to the issue of single-use plastics and access to safe drinking water in the next six months.

The situation in Guinea is a complex one, with many citizens relying on plastic water sachets as their primary source of safe drinking water. The government will need to consider the needs of its citizens and find a solution that balances environmental concerns with the need to provide basic services. For now, the lifting of the ban provides a temporary reprieve for those who rely on plastic water sachets for safe drinking water.