The effects of banning the use of plastic bags in Tanzania’s SMEs

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the government decision to ban the use of plastic bags in Tanzania particularly to SMEs in Dar es Salaam; identify the role of plastic packaging for SME in Dar es Salaam; and associate the role of plastic packaging and the banning effect of plastic packaging. The impact of government ban on firms’ performance was reflected in the deterioration of revenue in most of the SMEs interviewed. Larger proportion of the respondents interviewed admitted that the ban of plastic bags in packaging resulted into a decrease in the revenue and profits of their business to a large extent. It was observed that the government decisions on the banning of plastics bags in packaging did not affect small business only but also large businesses. However, the results from this study showed that the impact was great to small compared to larger business. It was pointed out that large firm can find alternative solution of using other materials for packaging compared to small enterprises due to insufficient capital. However, the findings show that, the ban of plastic bags did not affect much an employment opportunities in most of firms that use plastic bags in packaging. To educate the public, establish plastic wastage collection canters and establish plastic wastage management policies like recycling were among recommendations given in this study.