Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
ZIMBABWE, in partnership with regional and international agencies, has embarked on a major five-year project to tackle the harmful impact of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in plastics.
The project, titled “Circular and Persistent Organic Pollutants Free Plastics in Africa,” aims to reduce toxic chemical compounds in plastics that pose serious health and environmental risks across the continent.
The initiative is part of a broader regional effort involving South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe. It is supported by the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the Africa Region and the UN Environment Programme’s Resources and Markets Branch.
Speaking during a recent field data and sampling mission in Hwange, Professor Farai Mapanda, EMA’s National Technical Co-ordinator for the project, highlighted the growing threat posed by chemicals added to plastics during manufacturing.
“Plastics are designed to last, so manufacturers often add chemicals to make them durable. Unfortunately, some of these are persistent organic pollutants (POPs)-highly toxic compounds that don’t break down easily in the environment,” said Prof Mapanda.
He noted that some plastic products are imported into Zimbabwe already containing these pollutants, making the problem both local and global in nature. POPs are known to cause cancer, sterility, retarded growth in children, and other severe health impacts in both humans and animals.
Prof Mapanda said one of the project’s primary goals is to prevent POPs from re-entering the economy through recycling. Plastics containing POPs, when recycled without proper monitoring, can contaminate new products.
Furthermore, when dumpsites burn, the resulting smoke releases unintentional POPs, worsening air pollution and exposing communities and waste pickers to serious health hazards.
“Recyclers are at the frontline of waste management, but they are also at the highest risk of exposure to these dangerous chemicals,” he said.
“That’s why the project includes training programmes to equip recyclers with knowledge on how to handle waste safely, while also helping them turn recycling into a viable and profitable business.”
From May to July 2025, EMA will carry out a field data and sample collection exercise targeting the plastics industry and local authorities across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces.
The focus is on characterising plastic waste, especially from the building and construction sector, which has been flagged for high POPs contamination in preliminary studies.
As part of this mission, EMA teams visited Victoria Falls City, Hwange Local Board and Hwange Colliery Company Holdings, to collect samples from dumpsites.
The findings will help determine the extent of POPs contamination in local waste streams and inform policy recommendations.
The project includes four main components — development of strategies and policies that speaks to reviewing Zimbabwe’s legal framework to regulate the importation, production and use of POP-containing plastics. It also includes Promotion of Circular Economy Practices — Encouraging industries to adopt alternatives to toxic chemicals during plastic manufacturing, environmentally sound management of plastic waste — improving how waste is handled to prevent POPs from entering recycling streams and the broader environment as well as capacity building and knowledge sharing-conducting awareness campaigns, training recyclers and engaging industry stakeholders.
Prof Mapanda emphasised that the Government is working with manufacturers and importers to explore safer chemical alternatives, reducing reliance on harmful substances.
The timing of this initiative comes as local authorities across Zimbabwe struggle with solid waste management. Most cities and towns rely on open pit dumpsites instead of engineered landfills, leading to severe environmental and health hazards. Without proper waste separation, plastics mixed with general waste are frequently burned, releasing toxic fumes, including POPs, into the air.
The lack of modern compactors, proper landfills, and recycling infrastructure has left municipalities overwhelmed. Illegal dumping is common, and solid waste often blocks drainage systems, contributing to urban flooding during rainy seasons.
“In Zimbabwe, most of our waste ends up in dumpsites or informal recycling chains without any checks for these dangerous chemicals.
“This project aims to change that by reducing the amount of waste going to dumpsites and promoting safer recycling,” said Prof Mapanda.
The Circular and Persistent Organic Pollutants Free Plastics in Africa project aligns with global efforts to phase out hazardous chemicals in plastics and promote sustainable waste management. By partnering with other African countries, Zimbabwe hopes to develop policies and solutions that can be scaled across the continent.
The initiative also supports the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, which govern the global movement and management of hazardous waste and chemicals.
As the project continues, authorities hope to empower communities to benefit economically from recycling while minimising health and environmental risks. With sustained effort, the project could mark a turning point in Zimbabwe’s battle against plastic pollution and toxic waste.
“This is about protecting our communities, our children, and our future. We have to rethink how we manage plastics from production to disposal so that we don’t create more problems while trying to solve existing ones,” said Prof Mapanda.
