The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is exploring measures that could allow Ghanaians to receive money for returning used plastic bottles and other plastic materials as the country intensifies efforts to tackle plastic pollution.
Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Klutse, said the proposed approach would encourage the public to collect and return used plastics for reuse and recycling instead of disposing of them indiscriminately.
She explained that in some cases, consumers could return the bottles they use and receive money in return, creating an economic incentive for proper plastic waste management.
Professor Klutse made the remarks at a stakeholder dialogue organised by the EPA in partnership with Germany to discuss practical measures to address plastic pollution in Ghana.
She said Ghana needed to move beyond discussions and implement practical measures to effectively manage plastics in the country. She noted that stakeholders were currently engaging on policies and interventions aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives.
According to her, plastic sachets, including those commonly used for drinking water, would also form part of the broader discussions on plastic management.
Professor Klutse further disclosed that the EPA had started implementing restrictions on styrofoam, with the measures expected to become more effective from January.
She called for stronger collaboration among government, businesses, academia, traditional authorities, the media, civil society organisations and communities to address the plastic pollution challenge.
The EPA CEO urged academia to provide credible data and research to support effective policymaking, while encouraging the media to intensify public education on proper waste disposal, reuse and recycling.
She also highlighted the EPA’s collaboration with Clean Oceans and traditional leaders to improve waste management and protect the country’s waterways.
Professor Klutse encouraged Ghanaians to change their perception of plastic waste and view it as a valuable raw material that can be recovered and recycled.
She said plastic waste management could also create economic opportunities, generate employment and support livelihoods, in addition to protecting the environment.
Professor Klutse stressed that effective management of plastics in Ghana would contribute to protecting the country’s waterways and oceans from pollution.
She therefore urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and move from policy discussions to practical action, including innovative systems that would make plastic collection economically beneficial to citizens.
