Environmental advocacy group AERC Ghana has welcomed the choice by the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) to ban the manufacture, import, sale, distribution and use of Styrofoam and take-home packs from January 1, 2027, saying the transfer is a serious step in Ghana’s struggle towards plastic air pollution.
The group stated in an announcement that the deliberate ban is lengthy overdue and wanted to deal with the rising environmental injury brought on by single-use plastics and foam packaging throughout the nation.
In line with AERC Ghana, Styrofoam waste contributes considerably to clogged drains, exacerbated flooding, sanitation issues and elevated environmental prices for communities and municipalities.
The group careworn that the coverage ought to be seen not solely as an intervention in waste administration, but additionally as an necessary measure for public well being, environmental justice and flood prevention.
Nonetheless, AERC Ghana warned that the success of the ban will rely largely on how successfully the nation prepares for the transition by the 2027 implementation date.
The group is subsequently calling for the pressing improvement of a complete nationwide “bubble-free transition plan” to information companies, organizations, meals distributors and households forward of the ban.
“A ban alone just isn’t sufficient,” the assertion stated. “The true check might be whether or not reasonably priced and secure options can be found and whether or not the transition might be pretty managed.”
AERC Ghana warned that with out correct preparation, this coverage might place an financial burden on small-scale meals distributors, chop bars, caterers, market girls, faculty canteens, and low-income customers who at the moment depend on low-cost, single-use packaging.
The group argued that environmental reforms should defend livelihoods whereas selling sustainability.
As a part of its suggestions, AERC Ghana known as on the federal government and regulators to concern clear tips outlining what merchandise are prohibited, acceptable options and the way they are going to be enforced nationally.
The group additionally known as for funding in reasonably priced, reusable, domestically produced options to stop international locations from changing Styrofoam with different equally dangerous single-use merchandise.
He additionally appealed to the Tokyo Metropolitan Meeting, metropolis councils, and district assemblies to right away launch a public schooling marketing campaign as an alternative of ready for the ban to take impact.
AERC Ghana additionally inspired colleges, church buildings, supermarkets, eating places, occasion organizers and companies to voluntarily start phasing out using Styrofoam earlier than the deadline.
The group stated the transition ought to be seen as a possibility to advertise cleaner enterprise practices, help native innovation, strengthen waste discount methods and defend communities from the long-term results of plastic air pollution.
AERC Ghana reaffirmed its dedication to help insurance policies geared toward lowering single-use plastics, advocating for what it calls a “simply transition” coverage that protects weak individuals and small companies.
The EPA just lately introduced that Ghana will implement a nationwide ban on Styrofoam and take-home packaging from January 2027 as a part of broader efforts to sort out plastic waste and enhance environmental well being.
