Accra: The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is calling on companies to ensure the segregation of their waste, particularly plastics, to support Ghana's recycling initiatives. 'One of the dominant materials in our waste is plastics. We are going to issue letters to companies to dedicate different containers for different types of waste,' said Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, during a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Klutse noted that while some companies have the capacity to recycle waste, the challenge lies in the mixed nature of waste at the household collection level. She emphasized that biodegradable waste could be transformed into manure, while bottles, plastics, and e-waste could be recycled into new products. The EPA plans to engage with waste management companies to promote efficient waste collection efforts across the country.
'We see so much waste on the street which means there is a problem with the collection. It is overwhelming to see waste everywhere,' Prof. Klutse remarked, highlighting the urgent need for a more organized waste collection system. She urged stakeholders, particularly in the plastics production and usage sectors, to explore alternatives to plastic packaging.
Prof. Klutse revealed that while a nationwide ban on single-use plastics is forthcoming, the EPA intends to implement this change gradually. 'Plastics especially single-used types will be banned in the country but as EPA we want to take it slow. It is a decision the whole world has taken and we need to comply,' she stated.
Addressing the broader implications, the Acting CEO pointed out the detrimental effects of plastic production and pollution on climate change, nature loss, and pollution. She warned of the potential health risks associated with plastic exposure, including impacts on fertility, hormonal, metabolic, and neurological activities. Additionally, the open burning of plastics contributes significantly to air pollution.
The report highlights that methane is the most prevalent greenhouse gas within the sector, accounting for 47.4 percent of total emissions in Ghana, as cited in the country's maiden Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The waste crisis is more pronounced in urban areas due to high population density, economic activities, and consumption patterns. New suburbs lacking road access, social infrastructure, and waste collection services exacerbate the issue, reflecting the broader challenges within Ghana's waste management system. The state of sanitation in most regional capitals underscores the dysfunctionality of the current waste management infrastructure.