South Africa is to ban the use of plastic bags in a bid to rid the country of litter, the country’s government announced on Wednesday. The ban on the flimsy bags, handed out free to shoppers at all major stores, will be phased-in over the coming months after the South African Cabinet agreed in principle to regulations to prohibit them. The prohibition is the brainchild of Environmental Affairs Minister Valli Moosa who has campaigned for months to rid the country of the non-biodegradable bags, which he jokingly refers to as “the country’s national flower.” Expecting the prohibition, major stores began a campaign a few months ago to encourage shoppers to buy sturdier and longer-lasting heavy plastic bags that can be swapped for free once they wear out. However, these campaigns have enjoyed limited success, mainly due to the fact shop assistants pack groceries and other items into the stores plastic bags free of charge. – AFP