Zanzibar — THE war against use of plastic bags in the islands is successful, director of environment department - Zanzibar Mr Sheha Mjaja Juma has said when burning the confiscated plastics bags.

"Everyone has a role to play in keeping away plastic bags from the islands. Plastic bags remain harmful to environment," Mjaja said at Maruhubi area, north of the Stone Town, where 20 cartons of the banned plastic bags were set on fire.He said the campaign against plastic bags should be sustained at all levels, since alternative bags - friendly to the environment, are easily available.

Mjaja said that campaign against use of plastic bags which started early this year has born fruits, including a drop in importation and circulation of plastic bags.Court records show that 124 cases involving sale of plastic bags have been reported at the municipal court with more than 100 rulings and the head of operations from police has asked members of the business community still having plastic bags to surrender them.

Zanzibar targets to wipe out the use of plasticson the islands, as one of its strategies to conserve environment.