GABORONE, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Three months after Botswana mooted plans to ban plastic carrier and flat bags, the government has kicked off nationwide consultations

Akanyang Mmoi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, on Thursday said the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control is embarking on a countrywide tour consulting with stakeholders regarding the upcoming ban.

Mmoi said the campaign will start in Francistown, the country's second largest city, as part of the government's responsibility to conserve and protect the environment.

"In its protection endeavour, government continues to have interest in the materials and products that circulate in the economy with a view to anticipate their impacts that would emanate from their use and end of life as waste," said Mmoi.

In Botswana, one of the products in use is the plastic carrier bag and flat bag.

"These bags are made of materials which do not rot or biodegrade. The quality therefore makes this plastic bag to appear all over in the environment and have negative impacts to the environment, health and animals," Mmoi said, adding that the government has found it important to reduce its presence in the environment by implementing a ban.