Law n." 8/2020 On Measures for the Reduction of the Use of Plastic Bags in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Published on February 8, 2022

The object of this law is to prohibit the production, importation, marketing and distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags in the national territory.

The growth of plastic bags in housing, agricultural areas, beaches and waterways in Sao Tome and Principe is a real threat to the environment, biodiversity and consequently to public health.

Thus, despite the combined efforts of national, regional and local authorities to solve this problem and its environmental consequences, it is urgent to strengthen measures, in order to contribute to the resolution of these impacts, particularly through concerted action in the legal, economic and social fields;

Considering that the adoption of a legal framework that regulates the production, importation, marketing and distribution of plastic bags is a decisive milestone for the international commitment assumed by Sao Tome and Principe Tomé and Príncipe;