Animal and environmental conservation is a big priority

In an effort to go green, Rwanda gained international attention in 2008 when it banned plastic bags. Rwanda is as sustainable as it gets, thanks to the country's conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorillas of the Virunga mountain range. Dian Fossey's efforts and the film Gorillas in the Mist drew a lot of worldwide attention to the issue, but the Rwandan government and different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also worked relentlessly to safeguard the gorilla population and its natural environment.

Rwanda went after bags, especially because of widespread floods, animal health difficulties, and agriculture problems caused by enormous numbers of plastic bags and general garbage. Rwanda is clearly a cleaner place to visit and live as a result of this prohibition; streets are pristine, and terraced farms are free of stray plastic garbage. Public school students are educated about the bag ban as well as environmental preservation and conservation. Rwanda has even required a national clean-up day on the last Saturday of each month, during which residents participate in community clean-ups and public works projects.