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particular, plastic packaging related environmental challenges have been felt by each and every citizen regardless of their socio-economic standing.
Plastic packaging waste is found in the streets, stormwater drains, in bulk water, rural settlements, on farms and along the major highways.
Clogging of the sewer reticulation systems with these plastics has been causing constant sewer bursts, exposing consumers to health risks such as cholera which killed 4 287 people in 2008.
Who wants a recurrence of this? Plastics also lead to death of livestock and every year animals such as cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats die from ingesting plastic bags and the ingested plastics remain intact even after the death and decomposition of the animals.
It is against this background that the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management came up with the Statutory Instrument 98 of 2010 (Plastic Packaging and Plastic Bottles) in order to regulate the use of plastics in Zimbabwe.
The regulation calls for the prohibition of the manufacture for use within Zimbabwe, distribution or importation of plastic packag- ing with wall thickness less than 30 micrometres.
According to the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27), section 140, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management can from time to time, come up with regulations to curb imminent and foreseen environmental challenges.
So S.I 98 of 2010 (Plastic Bottles and Plastic Packaging Regulations) is supposed to encourage the reduction of the use of certain plastics.
Thin plastics are causing the much unwanted waste as several plastic bags are needed to sustain groceries, they are not recyclable, not reusable; they easily break to the disadvantage of the consumer.
Overview of the regulations
Prohibition of certain plastics
3(1) The manufacture of plastics for use within Zimbabwe, commercial distribution or importation of plastic packaging with a wall thickness of less than 30 micrometers is prohibited;
Unless it can be provided that they are: plastic bread packaging and clingy film used as plastic barrier packaging of a wall thickness of between 25 micrometers and 30 micrometers; or biodegradable plastic packaging.
When was Statutory Instrument Gazetted?
It was gazetted on May 28 2010
What are the disadvantages of thin
plastics?
Non-biodegradable that is, cannot decompose in the ecosystem, Single use/not reusable, not easily recyclable, easily gives in/breaks to the disadvantage of the consumer who is likely to lose the fragile groceries
Several plastic bags are needed to sustain groceries adding to the much unwanted waste/ecological footprint and leads to double or triple bagging
What are the advantages of thicker
plastics?
They are stronger, easily recyclable, reusable, leads to a reduction of plastic in the ecosystems, sustain more groceries at once, less is used leading to a reduction in the footprint.
Our call as EMA is for retailers to give their beloved consumers thicker plastic bags because of the above advantages.
Are there alternatives to consumers?
Thicker plastic bags, which can be reused for a longer time, shopping baskets, shopping bags, paper bags and cardboard boxes
What are other countries doing?
Rwanda has a total ban on plastic packaging. South Africa has a specified thickness. Europe has a specified thickness
What are retailers expected to do?
Issue out recommended plastics to consumers, explores alternatives and consider cradle to the grave principle
Do consumers have rights?
Have a right to a healthy, clean, safe and sustainable environment. Have a responsibility to understand the environment consequences of their consumption.
It has been noted that some supermarkets are selling plastic bags ranging from 2 cents to 10 cents.
That is not in any way EMA’s directive. It might be the need to attach value to the bag to persuade people to reuse them.
Other authorities might need to look into that to make sure that consumers are not shortchanged. Fast food outlets have to start thinking of alternatives of their packaging especially polystyrene which has also become a nuisance as well as those and those who are into PET bottles and canned drinks.
What is the role of industry?
Recycling is a practical option for the Zimbabwe packaging plastics industry. Such an option calls for the full engagement of the whole packaging chain from the informal “streetkid” collector right up to the recycled material (recyclate) seller and converter.
Our capacity to recycle plastics can be enhanced if all the stakeholders were to play their part towards the same goal of reducing or eliminating the solid waste contributed by packaging materials, in this case, plastics specifically.
The ultimate goal would be to go back to the original packaging design that mother nature gave us – using packaging materials that are in perfect harmony with nature – the naturally occurring materials, such as the coconut depicted on your indaba fliers.
Global environmental trends are shifting towards biodegradable plastics materials – the bio-polymers.
We expect our industry players to keep abreast with trends, which will enable us to safeguard our environment for future generations.
Let us help keep our environment and country clean. Reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste to save your environment.
Online Reporter