THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has extended the deadline for the phasing out of plastic carrier bags, which was set for December this year as part of strategies to reduce plastic pollution.
This comes after the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), in resolution 5/14 in March 2022, requested UNEP executive director to convene an inter-governmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic.
In a recent letter to Confederations of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu, EMA said it has seen it fit to give businesses more time before phasing out plastic bags.
“Following a letter from the Environmental Management Agency, to you, dated 12 November 2021 on the phasing out of plastic carrier bags by 31 December 2022, EMA after further engagement with relevant sector organisations and also considering national circumstances has seen it fit to get more time before the phase-out is effected,” reads the letter.
“However, we should be mindful of the global thrust towards an international legally binding instrument to curb plastic pollution, which is expected to be in place by 2025.
“The agency, therefore, encourages the nation to embrace environmentally friendly alternatives and appreciates efforts that have been made in the provision and promotion of alternatives to carrier plastic bags.”
Litter thrown into a storm drain blocks free flow of water during and after rains
The call for the phasing out of plastic bags is being influenced by the fact that the country is not fully able to recycle its waste since a large portion of it finds its way to landfills, rivers and other areas yet it can be reused.
During the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, EMA senior officials said the country has this year imported 394 million kg of plastic with about 40 million kg of that being recycled while the rest becomes a source of pollution.
EMA said it will keep relevant sectors informed on every step towards the phasing out of plastic carrier bags which is inevitable.
“Time frames will be communicated well on time for the nation to ready itself for the phase-out,” said the agency.
Countries like Kenya and South Africa have come up with decomposable carrier bags and other durable woven carrier bags that are now in the market and these have helped in reducing the use of plastic bags.
The United Nations and African Union
In its draft resolution titled, “End of plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument”, the United Nations Environment Assembly, said it noted with concern that the high and rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution represent a serious environmental problem on a global scale, negatively impacting the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
The assembly said it recognises that plastic pollution includes micro-plastics and that plastic pollution, in marine and other environments, can be transboundary and needs to be tackled, together with its impacts through a full life cycle approach taking into account national circumstances and capabilities.
Last year, retailers were asked to find alternatives to plastic career bags by December 2022, as the agency was contemplating outlawing its use saying it is not environmentally friendly. – The Chronicle
