Non-biodegradable plastic sale returns in markets

It’s now common to see hawkers selling banned non-biodegradable plastic sacks. The ban by government, through the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, on the sale of non-biodegradable plastic sacks in the country since April 2014 is yet to have the desired impact.

In fact, what was supposed to be an exception is increasingly becoming the rule, with old habits persisting. Non-biodegradable plastic sacks are back in homes and markets in spite of the April 24 ban.

Dealers can only create artificial scarcity for fear of having their goods impounded by controllers of the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development. But the glaring fact remains! Non-biodegradable plastics are available in markets in whatever quantity a buyer would want.

“Hum! Did you say you wanted plastic wrappings in greater quantity?” When responded in the affirmative, a vendor in plastic bags and his nearby colleague were quick to counter. They readily said they could supply the quantity required, but ruled out any direct deal with the wholesaler.

The business accomplices said business was all about risk-taking and dealing in plastic bags was just one of them. “I cannot tell how many times I have had to confront controllers and disburse fines worth FCFA 25,000,” explained Ngenglefac Bonaventure, hawker in plastic bags.

He explained that biodegradable bags were rare and very expensive, noting that their provision stores had non-bio-degradable plastics in abundance. In fact, there is a clearly defined network for the sale of plastic paper and only those in the business know better where to find them.

On the counters, the scenario of the heydays of the ban has given way to old habits with customers posing no questions. Buy a dress and you will readily have it wrapped. Only businessmen willing to make maximum profits hide behind the ban on non-biodegradable plastics.

Many shops that refrained from using such paper have gone back to their abandoned stock. This state of affairs is quite disturbing, especially as it is coming barely 10 months after the ban. Customers even complain about the low quality of the plastics. The creation of artificial scarcity has also sent prices rising. Some super markets oblige clients to carry their goods in hand or buy their designed plastic bags at high cost. Most of the plastic paper that initially was for free is now sold at between FCFA 50 to100.

Notwithstanding, joint control teams have been able to impound over 334 metric tonnes of non-biodegradable plastic bags in the country since the start of the crackdown.

The Director of Standards and Norms in the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Enoh Peter Ayuks says some industries producing unwanted plastics have been shut down while the waste dump site in the Yaounde suburb of Nkolfoulou has witnessed a drastic reduction in the number of disposed plastic bags.

Enoh Ayuk admitted that a reasonable quantity of non-biodegradable paper might still be circulating and that they might be entering the country illegally; but cautioned the public to steer clear. He explained that the public should be aware that government wants plastic sacks with focus on “thickness with a distinction of above 61 microns.”