Malawi Creation Care Network has urged community members in Traditional Authority Chilooko in Ntchisi to stop using thin plastics to protect the environment.
The network’s voluntary national coordinator Charles Bakolo said in an interview on Saturday that they plan to campaign nationwide against using thin plastics and their careless disposal despite a legislative ban.
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He said: “Thin plastics are not only harmful to the environment. Their use and careless disposal is also harmful to people in more ways.
“This campaign is, therefore, one way of reaching out to rural masses with awareness messages and alternative means of packaging.”
Bakolo said people should, instead, opt for eco-friendly means of packaging such as the use of bamboo baskets which are cost-effective.
Ntchisi district environment officer Davie Itimu called on local and religious authorities to work together with vendors against the use of thin plastics.
He said the fight against thin plastics is a collective responsibility and it can be won only if treated as such.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Chilooko commended the NGO for the campaign, but advised that manufacturing companies should also be reached.
“We have had organisations that have succeeded in their campaigns by establishing local structures such as committees to reach out to locals and monitor progress. I believe this campaign will also succeed if you borrow a leaf,” he said.
