‘ Zero’ plastics controversy:
Why environmental policymakers are pushing for minimal plastic use in Eswatini?
IF you are wondering why plastics are now hard to come by in Eswatini, you better read this! The now-scarcity of plastics in the country has become the talk of the town and regulating authorities in the sector, the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), has come out to explain why they are pushing for minimal plastic use in the country.
The aforementioned authority is mandated to implement the Control of Plastic Bags Regulations, 2021, which controls the importation and manufacturing of plastic bags of less than 24 micrometres. The legislation also imposes a levy on plastic. According to information packages by the EEA, awareness initiatives and outreach activities to different retailers and importers were undertaken to further raise awareness on the implementation of the regulations. During the outreach, a letter outlining the provisions of the regulation was handdelivered to stakeholders together with a copy of the regulations.
For the first quarter of 2024, 20 towns and places were visited in the country, including
Mbabane, Policymakers Ezulwini, are urging Manzini, for minimal Matsapha, use of plastics bag in usage. Eswatini The inventory reports from the Siteki, Mpaka, Nsoko, Pigg’s Peak and shops, reviewed by EEA, indicate that there Buhleni to mention a few. has been a reduction in plastic bag usage per shop from September to December 2023.
This aligns with the regulation’s goal of encouraging plastic bag reuse. People might be adopting reusable alternatives or using existing bags multiple times,” read a communique from the EEA.
The communique also implied that there had been noticeable increased awareness and compliance as many retailers, manufacturers and importers knew about the Control of Plastic Bags Regulations, 2021.
“Even reached
“The response from retailers has been low as such a reminder letter was sent to them during November 2023 and December 2023. Follow-up action will be to issue fines for non-compliance. More than 235 businesses have registered to collect the plastic levy on the Plastic Levy Return Filling System (PLRFS) from the beginning of the implementation stage until 31st December 2023. Certificates have been issued to all registered shops.”
“The outcomes of the regulations are the enforcement of reduction in plastic those we did not directly notify out for guidance on compliance.
There has been a contribution to environmental protection goals. Lower plastic bag usage marks a significant step towards environmental sustainability. Reducing plastic waste mitigates its harmful impact on ecosystems and wildlife.”
When sought for comment on the Control of Plastic Bags 2021, Eswatini Environment Authority Communications Officer Belusile Mhlanga said there were still contentious issues regarding the aforementioned policy, saying they were still on the table with plastic manufacturers.
However, Mhlanga why the reduction of necessary evil.
“The impacts of plastics are known and they are dire to both human health and the environment. About 80 per cent of the population in Eswatini manage waste through open burning and the gases which are emitted there can accumulate in the body.”
“These gases, once accumulated in the body, can alter the endocrine system and mess up hormones. And this, can, in turn, negatively affect the reproductive system and be passed on to babies through the mother’s milk.
In these cases, went on to justify plastic usage was a
babies
may
develop conditions like autism and others just after they are born,” Mhlanga said.
Explaining the environmental impacts, Mhlanga said plastics were not capable of decomposing until after several yearsstating that this left livestock vulnerable to ingesting them.
“The quality of meat that from livestock has ingested plastic is compromisedmeaning they cannot be sold in the international market,” explained the communications officer.