Dr Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu
By Melisa Javangwe
Government has proposed new measures to contain environmental pollution from the plastic industry by regulating plastic companies to adopt more sustainable production practices and management of post-consumer products.
This comes on the backdrop that the current strategy of promoting voluntary sustainable management of plastic waste by players has failed to bring desired results as other players did not just adopt environmentally friendly methods resulting in worrisome pollution levels.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, out of the 1.7 million tonnes of waste generated annually in Zimbabwe, an average of 303,040 tonnes is plastic waste, constituting a total of 18%.
The packaging industry is the main component of the plastic sector in Zimbabwe and experience strong annual growth estimated at 8-12%.
However, about 60% of plastic generated in urban environments finds its way to municipal landfills while some is dumped illegally in undesignated areas namely storm water drains, open spaces, alleys and road verges.
Consequently this proportion finds its way to the various municipal landfills. Of this total solid waste is buried, indiscriminately dumped, burned, and a small percentage is separated and recycled.
The world has adopted recycling as one of the best ways to manage waste. In Zimbabwe, approximately 11% of plastic waste generated in Zimbabwe is recycled. Recycled plastic include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PT), polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
According to the Environmental Management Agency’s Zimbabwe Recycler’s Directory sixty three (63) companies are registered for recycling. This number is too small given the quantity of waste that is deposited in Zimbabwe.
This worrisome magnitude of pollution has pushed government and stakeholders to find ways to force a downward spiral of this trend.
In his presentation to joint Portfolio Committees on Energy and Power Development and Environment, Climate and Tourism, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu outlined some measures that government is considering in its endeavour to tackle environmental pollution caused by plastics in Zimbabwe.
Banning Single Use Plastic Bags
Zimbabwe is consider taking gradual steps towards the banning of single use plastic bags with total ban expected in December 2024. The gradual process will allow for education and awareness and most importantly, to allow for the market to respond and adjust for best practice and viable option to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment.
The initiative for a legally binding global plastic treaty to ban single use plastic is gaining momentum to the extent that there is a coalition of High Ambition Countries driving this agenda co-Chaired by Sweden and Rwanda.
Introduction of Levies
Government has proposed to introduce levies that would create a level playing field for all actors in the manufacture and distribution of plastic packaging. This will be achieved under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to all manufacturers, distributors and consumers of Plastic packaging products.
The EPR has been incorporated into the principles for amending the Environmental Management Act [CAP20:27] that were approved by Cabinet. The EPR requirement will be extended to the management of plastic waste.
Another environment levy specified in the EMA act (as an amendment) could be used to ring-fence and operationalise a robust recycling support systems and accompanying infrastructure.
According to government, this will in turn create over 50,000 green jobs over a planned period through the value chain, with women and youths benefitting. The entire plastic value chain, ranging from picking, sorting, recycling and distribution of recycled materials can anchor the value chain.
Establishing Lending Facility
Emerging Small to Medium recycling enterprises would be allowed to borrow from the fund to establish recycling business at low interest rates. A similar model is being successfully implemented in Norway, where retailers have a created pool funds for waste management from levies (Norwegian Retailers Fund).
Currently, there are over fifty (50) Community Based Organisations in existence in Zimbabwe but these are failing to make an impact due to lack of funding and as a result continue to use rudimentary approaches to plastic waste management.
Development of environmentally sound management (ESM) of plastic waste
The development of an overall strategy on environmentally sound management (ESM) of plastic waste has been identified as key. The strategy includes gathering and analysis of data and information on the existing national plastic waste management infrastructure. The strategy also includes identification of the infrastructure’s strengths, weakness and opportunities for improvement.
Development of an inventory of Plastic Waste
Development of an inventory of Plastic Waste in line with key data sets such as imports & exports, production, collection, segregation, landfilling and illegal dumps, among others.
Pilot Projects on Prevention and Plastic Waste Minimisation
Preparation of pilot projects on prevention and plastic waste minimization through gathering data on the status-quo of initiatives towards prevention and mitigation of Plastic Waste in Zimbabwe. This thematic area covers packaging, fisheries, textiles, tourism and cosmetics sectors
