MESTI out with policy to combat plastic waste pollution – Prof Frimpong-Boateng

The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Fimpong-Boateng has disclosed that the National Plastics Management Policy has been drafted to curb the growing plastic waste pollution.

The policy, he revealed, calls for recycling plastic waste into resources for value addition in manufacturing processes; for the importation of Oxo-biodegradable plastics and a swift environmental education and awareness.

A first draft version of the National Plastics Management Policy was earlier presented and discussed with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to recycle plastic and electronic waste across the country.

Currently, the estimated two percent rate of plastic waste recycling in the country is rather deplorable, the Minster noted disclosing that collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide a legal framework for the control and management of plastic waste is also on course.

The Minister made this known at the World Environment Day yesterday, in Accra.

He said the Section 9 of the Control and Management Regulations Act 2016 (LI 2250) which provides for the ‘’establishment and approval of take-back systems,’’ requires persons who produce beverage products, to set up and manage or join a take-back system for primary and secondary packaging and recycling of waste.

"The full operationalization of the LI 2250 requires the EPA to stipulate recycling rates in consultation with other stakeholders including beverage manufactures,’’ he added.

Frimpong-Boateng said economic growth and the changing consumption production patterns have resulted in an increase in the generation of plastic waste globally, with Ghana not being an exception.

Plastic waste has accounted for about one to five percent of the total amount of waste generated in terms of net-weight.

However, it has been estimated that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastics than fish by weight.

The Minister is therefore calling for a swift amendment of acts and laws by parliament to guide all stakeholders to curb waste pollution and efficient waste management.