Tanzania Orders Immediate Closure of Illegal Plastic Bag Factory in Chanika

The Tanzanian government ordered the immediate closure of an illegal plastic bag manufacturing factory in Chanika, Dar es Salaam, on 15 July 2026. AllAfrica reported that the unregistered facility was discovered producing banned plastic carrier bags during a night-time surprise inspection.

Deputy Minister in the Vice-President's Office (Union and Environment) Reuben Kwagilwa issued the directive after the inspection conducted with officials from the National Environment Management Council and the Police Force.

The factory violated the ban on production, importation, and distribution of plastic carrier bags introduced under the Environmental Management Act in 2018/19. Kwagilwa stated that plastic bags take between 350 and 500 years to decompose, contributing to pollution and endangering public health and ecosystems.

"We conducted a surprise inspection in Chanika and found an illegal factory producing banned plastic bags.

The government outlawed the production, importation and transportation of these bags in 2018/19, yet this factory has continued to violate the law," he said. The minister directed the National Environment Management Council, in collaboration with the Police Force, to secure the premises, conduct an inventory of all manufactured products, preserve evidence, and ensure those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the Environmental Management Act.

AllAfrica reported that the government permits limited production of specialised plastic materials for specific economic activities, but the Chanika factory was not among the authorised operations.