Plastic producers worried as ban takes effect

Producers of plastics are complaining of a government directive to purchase biodegradable materials from a single source, a situation they describe as “more disturbing”.

Ban on plastic below 20 microns takes effect from November 1 and producers are obliged to introduce biodegradable materials in their production.

“But the issue is that in Ghana, they are trying to make us purchase from one source which is more disturbing,” complained a plastic producer.

Speaking to TV3, the plastic producer stated, however, that “producers are already prepared to produce biodegradables from November 1”.

The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahama Ayariga, announced the partial ban on plastics after President John Mahama complained that the perennial floods in the city may be as a result of plastic waste in the system.

Sachet water producers who have taken some blame for the plastic waste, have talked down any plans to transfer additional costs to buyers.

President of the Sachet Water Producers Association, Joseph Nunoo-Magnus, assured that the price of sachet water will remain the same.

“I do not think it is going to have any significant change on the price of sachet water in the short term.”