Stakeholders consider temporary ban on plastic bags

Plastic manufacturers and producers have been directed to use biodegradable additives, an environmentally-friendly technology, in their production of plastic products including carrier bags and water sachets for consumers on the market.

This means that manufacturers will now be producing plastic products which can decompose and degrade and mix with the soil after few months or years, thereby reducing the menace they pose on the environment.

The directive was given by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) after a meeting with stakeholders in the plastic industry in Accra Thursday.

However the stakeholders at the meeting considered a temporary ban on polythene bags but at the end of the deliberation, they decided to reconsider the issue in about two weeks’ time.

In view of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been charged to immediately draw up a framework and action plan that will ensure that manufacturers complied with the order.  

Last Saturday, President John Dramani Mahama gave a hint that the government might consider placing a ban on the use of plastics, if manufacturers failed to properly manage plastic waste in the country.

This informed the stakeholders’ forum to fashion out the way forward on how to resolve the dangers plastic wastes posed to the environment.

Adoption of recommendations by stakeholders

The meeting was also used to adopt and implement various recommendations which were made since 2010 on how to solve the challenges of plastic wastes in the country.

The stakeholders also agreed that a lot of recycling companies be established to reprocess the plastics and carrier bags in order to reduce the pressure on the environment.

They contended that a lot of Ghanaians needed to be encouraged to use plastics, “since when managed properly, they can be sent to the recycling companies for their operations.”

It was also agreed that plastic waste collection points be established in all communities, districts and constituencies across the country. 

Micron level in carrier bags

In an address, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Mahama Ayariga, gave producers and manufacturers two weeks to meet with the EPA to agree on the specific micron level used in the production of carrier bags such as polythene bags.

The current micron level in polythene and carrier bags is 20 to 30, with some producers arguing for 60.

After the time given, Mr Ayariga said the ministry would consider a partial ban on polythene and carrier bags.

He also stated that the ministry would ensure the establishment of community waste sanitation tribunals that would prosecute persons who pollute the environment.

Mr Ayariga further called on the media to play active roles in sensitising and educating the public on the need for it to keep the environment clean.