Yesterday, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, visited some plastic recycling plants in the capital to learn firsthand about the industry’s challenges and possible remedies.
The minister, who was accompanied with officials from Environmental Protection Agency, visited Kpone landfills, where around 400,000 tonnes of waste plastic are collected daily to recycling facilities. Spaceplast Company Limited, which recycles approximately 50,000 tonnes daily, and La Plastic Collectors Association to recruit members.
Dr Afriyie addressed the Plastic Waste Collectors Association members and stated that theministry acknowledged the efforts of the plastic collectors in curbing the threat of indiscriminatory trash disposal in the country.
He stated that plastic waste collectors play a significant role in promoting sanitation, and that his outfit, through the collaboration of the Ministry of Sanitation, Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and other agencies, would streamline the sector to be more vibrant.
Dr Afriyie said he believed that industry challenges would be addressed through dialogue with relevant ministries. He also stressed that “the ministry has received many complaints from the Plastic Waste Collectors Association regarding the difficulties they encounter when transporting the material to recycling facilities.”
We are also aware that there are logistical challenges and insufficient recycling companies to purchase the plastic. I must add that the government will do everything we can to help the industry.
Elvis Oppong, Chairman of the Plastic Waste Collectors Association, stated that there was no recycling facility to purchase the plastic. Members had to transport the plastic to the company from faraway places.
He stated that the high cost of transportation for the product was not encouraging and appealed the ministry to help him obtain funds to set up a recycling facility.
Oppong mentioned tools and reflectors being some of the requirements of the Association. He stressed that the government could support the Association in increasing the collection of plastic.