Karonga to effect ban of thin plastics

Karonga environmental officer Khumbo Mbeye says the district will start enforcing of a ban on importation, distribution and use of thin plastic papers of less than 60 microns.

He made the announcement on Friday during a stakeholders meeting, saying the development follows the lifting of an injunction the Association of Plastic Manufacturers obtained in 2016.

“As you may be aware that the High Court in August 2019 lifted the injunction, we are now geared to enforce the ban on thin plastics,” said Mbeye.

However, he said the only plastic products that will be in circulation will include bread wrappers, plastics for wrapping fresh meat products and poultry products.

Mbeye said they will be promoting environmental friendly products that can be reused and are made from natural fabric which decomposes.

Karonga Main Market chairperson Goodwin Ghambi said his committee is ready to sensitise everyone in the market to the development.

He said: “We really need to take action on the matter. Today it was raining and the whole market was full of water because our drainage system is blocked by plastic papers and bottles.

“I am optimistic that if the ban is enforced, the drainage system will be cleared.”

As stipulated in the Environment Management Act of 2015, non-compliance with the ban is a serious offence and can lead to three months imprisonment upon conviction.

Non-compliance can also lead to confiscation of any equipment or property which is part of the subject matter of an offence.