Malawi Environmental and Protection Authority (Mepa) has sealed Quality Plastics Limited located at Njewa in Lilongwe for defying government’s ban on the manufacturing of thin plastics.
Mepa sealed the company yesterday during an inspection tour of companies within Lilongwe where it also imposed a K5 million fine on the company for flouting the Environmental Management (Plastics) Regulations (2015) Act banning the production and use of thin plastics in Malawi.
In an interview during the tour, Mepa acting manager for environmental assessments and inspections Biswick Mlaviwa said the inspections were organised to ascertain if plastic manufacturing companies are complying with the thin plastics ban.
“The factory is, therefore, closed with immediate effect and is also ordered to pay a fine of K5 million for this offence. It is further ordered not to remove anything from the factory including the machines, raw materials and finished products because they are all illegal,” he said.
Quality Plastics Limited manager, who only identified himself as Mr. Qhunag, said they were not aware of the regulations regarding manufacturing and distribution of thin plastics. He declined to take further questions.
In a January 31 2025 judgement, High Court of Malawi Judge Howard Pemba upheld the thin plastics ban that government had instituted but was being challenged by 11 plastics manufacturing companies.
The judge said the companies were abusing the court process by challenging the enforcement of the ban which included obtaining an injunction after the Supreme Court had dismissed their appeal in June 2024.
Another plastic manufacturing company which was visited during the inspection on Monday, Plastic Max, was found to be in compliance with the minimum of 60 microns thickness of plastic bags.
