http://www.ipsnews.net/2014/09/cote-divoire-chokes-on-its-plastic-shopping-bags/

Côte d?Ivoire Chokes on its Plastic Shopping Bags

By Marc-Andre Boisvert

ABDIJAN, Côte d?Ivoire, Sep 26 2014 (IPS) - In the middle of downtown
Abidjan, Côte d?Ivoire, the aisles of a thriving supermarket are full of
customers. But as they line up to pay for their items, there is one line
to a cashier?s till that remains empty. It?s the ?green cash register?,
where the cashier does not provide plastic bags as this supermarket
tries to implement a green policy.

?People do not find it convenient to bring their own bags. But they are
often angry that they have to line up while nobody comes here [to the
green cash register],? the cashier tells IPS.

Increasing environmental consciousness is not the sole reason for
Ivorian shops adopting green policies: the government has adopted new
laws that will affect consumers.

Each year, Côte d?Ivoire produces 200,000 tonnes of plastic bags of
which 40,000 go directly into the trash. Less than 20 percent of this
plastic is recycled.