Dowa district principal environmental officer Yusuf Laki has urged business operators to comply with the government’s ban on the use and sale of single-use thin plastics to protect the environment.
He said this on Monday after a sensitisation meeting with Dowa Market leaders and business operators to raise awareness on the ban and penalties for violating the law.
The ban is enforced under the Environment Management (Plastics) Regulation of 2015.
“Plastics are non-biodegradable and have caused enormous damage to the environment, posing risks to humans and animals. We have intensified efforts to civic-educate people on the restrictions of using or selling these single-use plastics,” said Laki.
He encouraged the public to switch to environmentally friendly alternatives such as baskets, cloth bags and other reusable materials that have minimal environmental impact.
Dowa Market Main Committee chairperson Oliver Katema expressed support for the ban, pledging to work with business operators to ensure compliance and promote alternative packaging.
He said: “We urge government to implement strict measures to stop illegal importation of thin plastics.
“Banning local production alone won’t help if illegal products continue entering the country through unmonitored channels.”
Meanwhile, Malawi Environment Protection Authority (Mepa) has expressed disappointment with continued illegal importation of thin plastics from neighbouring countries.
In an interview, Mepa environment, information and education manager Aubren Chirwa said smuggling was restoring supply of the thin plastics which could make them affordable gradually.
“We have noted that the scarcity of the thin plastics due to the ban has prompted other vendors to smuggle plastics from neighbouring countries. This smuggling is a big threat to the efforts that the authority and the country has taken in curbing the use of thin plastics,” he said
