30 tons of plastic packaging seized

The regional delegation of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development (Minepded), has seized 30 tons of non-compliant plastic packaging from neighbouring Nigeria and given to companies for recycling.

Bags which contained non-compliant plastic bags were labeled: ‘Degradable products protect the environment’.

The 'destruction ceremony' was attended by the Chief of the Division of Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs of the services of the Governor, Yarra Savam, and the director of Standards and Control in Minepded, Peter Enow.

In April a truck carrying slippers and natural juices from Nigeria through the South West region was seized at the entrance of Douala. Customs officers with their mobile scanner performed the routine check. The regulations said they discovered a significant amount of non-complaint plastics in the midst of the slippers and natural juices.

The authorities who were informed on the finding also contacted the Regional Environment service. After sometime, a second truck carrying sand this time was seized. After checking, the Customs discovered yet another pile of banned plastic items in the sand.

All the 2028 bags seized weighed 30 tons each. Each bag contained 10,000 pieces; white bags, black, yellow and black, and laundry plastics. They were perforated and then made available for recycling.

According to the representative of the Governor of the Littoral Region, at least 200 tons have been seized. The problem, according to Yara Savam, lies at the borders. These are porous, the market is huge and the alternative packagings are considered expensive.

Francis Dany Matip Nouga, monitoring cell leader of Minepded, states: "We acted on commercial zones, markets and borders."

Fines ranged between FCFA 4000 to 25000 for small outlets and between FCFA 10-50 million for large outlets. Offenders are liable to sentences from 5 days to 10 years.