GOVERNMENT needs to be pro-active to ensure that the pollution caused by plastics is checked instead
of paying lipservice to the dangers it poses. While we appreciate the government’s position that it is concerned about the high and increased environmental degradation of plastic pollution now
is the time to introduce stringest measures to eliminate the use of plastics.
We note that although the government banned the use of plastics as packaging material in 2018, plastic
bags are still in use throughout the country. Government through the Ministry of Water
Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection banned the use of packaging materials
such as plastic bags and their resultant waste in March 2018. At global level, heads of State, environment ministers and other representatives from 175 nations, endorsed a historic resolution at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi in March 2022 to end plastic pollution, and forge an international legally binding agreement, by the end of 2024. But with the widespread use of plastics in Zambia, one doubts whether the country would be able tomplement this. Only the big chainstores and a few others have stopped using plastic bags and have instead adopted more environmentally-friendly packaging maerials.
This ought to be addressed by the government as it is evident that plastics have flooded the market. There are scores of youths for example selling plastic bags at markets in Lusaka. This is most probably replicated in other areas. Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu has recognised the danger caused by plastic pollution, noting that they present serious development challenges.
Mr Nzovu, speaking at the World Environment Day held under the theme beat plastic pollution on
Monday pointed out that developmental issues were negatively affecting the environmental, social and
economic dimensions of sustainable development. Mr Nzovu said government has put in policies and
pieces of legislation that are aimed at addressing various environmental challenges including plastic
pollution. It is heartening that the national policy on environment of 2007 and the Environmental Management Act number 12 of 2011 were undergoing a review process to make them respond effectively to the new and emerging environmental challenges. It is important therefore that Government works towards reviewing these pieces of legislation in earnest. To this end, we are glad that the Minister of Justice, Mr Mulambo Haimbe has pledged to champion policies, legislate and implement measures that curb plastic pollution. Mr Haimbe, who was also at the World Environment Day said there is need to make legislative changes that would address solid waste management and encourage recycling.
More importantly, stakeholders must also ensure there is mass sensitisation to warn against the use
of plastics in favour of more environmental-friendly packaging materials. Zambia cannot afford to turn a blind eye to plastic pollution which the United Nations has noted is a global problem.
“The impacts of plastic production and pollution on the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution are a catastrophe in the making, the UN said, with exposure to plastics harming human health, and potentially affecting fertility, hormonal, metabolic and neurological activity, while open burning of plastics contributes to air pollution.” This is the more reason why Government must
step up its act to curb the widespread use of plastics. Survival is at stake.
