Fight against plastic packaging to be intensified

The banning of non-biodegraded plastic packaging was the agenda of the last cabinet meeting between the Ministre de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la Nature et du Développement Durable (Minepded) and the Prime Minister in Yaounde to reiterate the government's determination to maintain the prohibition on packages of less than 60 microns.

Issues at hand were particularly the implementation of the decree regulating the manufacturing process, the importation and marketing of non- biodegradable plastic packaging.

Philemon Yang also engaged the Minister, Hele Pierre to assist other officials and professionals in the plastics industry to examine the implementation modalities of a quality control system for non-plastic packaging biodegradable.

“Before the directive by the Prime Minister, some political and administrative authorities feared social unrest and thought the Minepded was alone in this fight”, said a source from the ministry.

She continued to ensure that “with the commitment of the PM, all the players in the fight will now get more involved and be accountable for results in their areas of jurisdiction."

Regarding the establishment of modalities of a quality control system of non-biodegradable plastic packaging, officials at Minepded explained that this is not a novelty.

Our source disclosed that there has been a slowdown in the struggle among the various control bodies, because of the lack of commitment of those involved in the fight and also due to lack of manpower and financial resources.

Minepded said “the plastics industry is under control and customs are alert at the borders. However, the fight will begin in the coming weeks but with more intensity”.

The consent of the PM fell a week to World Environment Day and it is a good opportunity for Minepded to boost awareness in the media, businesses and families.