Previously in Madagascar, plastic bags are widely used. However, it is found that bags with a thickness of less than or equal to 50?m are considered as hazardous waste. Plastic sachets are considered hazardous waste because they can pose a threat to human health and the environment.

Perhaps you are surprised? This is a threat because plastic bags are among the causes of floods in cities during rainy periods. These plastic bags are lightweight and because of lack of sensitivity to the environment, the man throws them anywhere after use. As a result, the drainage channels are clogged and wastewater and / or rainwater can no longer circulate. Thus, they must be subject to special management and disposal requirements to eliminate or reduce the risk involved.

Consequently, measures concerning the production, import and marketing of plastic bags with a thickness of 50 ?m or less are stipulated by Decree 2014-1587 of the Ministry of the Environment, Ecology and Forests. By application of this decree, the importation of plastic bags has been prohibited since 01st May 2015 since October 1s, 2015, bags with a thickness less than or equal to 50 ?m are no longer marketed And local production is prohibited.

As an accompaniment to these measurements, the production and use of bags greater than 50 microns are permitted as they can be used for longer periods. And since then, non-woven bags and biodegradable bags have taken their place on the market.