Waste Management firms are demanding tax exemptions in the importation of their equipment into the country.

They lament the high tax is making the sector unattractive for investors.

Managing Director of Tidy-up Steven Ampofo believes granting tax exemption will help reverse the trend.

He was speaking after the commissioning of the firm’s waste compacting technology plant in Accra.

“Tidy-up is here to change the status quo by turning this enclave into a waste industrial park. We would recycle papers, cardboards, plastics, Styrofoam and convert PET bottles into flakes and mould them back into bottles. We would also recycle glass and use it for sandpaper,” he said.

“With the right mindset on solid waste, incomes can be generated from recovery of useful items while protecting the environment at the same time”, he added.

He was optimistic Ghana can lead the way in raking in more revenue by learning from the Singapore and Philippines where plastic waste is turned into fuel from its waste, attracting tourists to the country.

Present at the event were Mr. Kwasi Tumi, Managing Director of Premium Bank Ghana Ltd, representatives from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other senior government officials.

Tidyup was established in October 2005 with objectives of undertaking environmental sanitation consultancy, provide environmental sanitation services, and serve as a representative of manufacturers of waste management machines in Ghana. With financial and advisory support from Premium Bank’s Helpstation.