Malawi Environment Protection Authority (Mepa) has lamented the knowledge gap on the ban of non-biodegradable plastics of less than 60 microns, saying it is frustrating the cause to make the environment safer.
Mepa environment information education manager Aubren Chirwa told a public sensitisation campaign in Mzuzu yesterday that people still use thin plastics because they lack knowledge on dangers of thin plastics and the court prohibition.
He said: “It’s not only about who manufactures or imports these thin plastics, it is now about questioning whether consumers have knowledge about the restriction we put on usage of thin plastics or not.
“We have witnessed heavy usage of thin plastics in marketplaces, including Mzuzu markets, but we have intensified our public awareness campaigns, aimed at bridging the existing public knowledge gap.”
Chirwa conceded that thin plastics are cheaper than other packaging options; hence, the former being smuggled from neighbouring countries to satisfy demand.
But he urged consumers to consider alternative packs such as thick plastics and eco-bags as covertly cheaper because they are reusable and environment friendly respectively.
Mepa teamed up with Mzuzu City Council to carry out awareness campaign in marketplaces within the city.
The council’s assistant director of environment Gerald Mchacha said in an interview that thin plastics make up one-third of waste materials they collect everyday.
In January this year, High Court of Malawi Judge Howard Pemba discharged an injunction by 11 thin plastics manufacturers that was stopping the Malawi Government from enforcing the ban.
Firms that lost their decade-long battle are City Plastics Industry, Flexo Pack Limited, G. Plastics Wholesale and Retail, G.S Plastic Industry, Jagot Plastics Limited, O.G Plastic Industries (2008) Limited, Plastimax Limited, Polypack Limited, Qingdao Recycling Limited, Sharma Industries Limited and Shore Rubber (Lilongwe) Limited.
