The President of the Ghana E-Waste Recyclers Association (EWROTA), Gilbert Odjidja, has called for the adoption of a deposit return system (DRS) in Ghana as a sustainable solution for plastic waste management.
His remarks come in response to the recent stance of the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Muhammed, who called for a broader dialogue on plastic management rather than outrightly banning plastic imports.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Business and Financial Times (B&FT), Mr. Odjidja underscored that a well-implemented DRS could significantly reduce plastic pollution by creating an economic incentive for collection and recycling.
“If people know they can return plastic bottles for money, they will pick them up instead of leaving them on the streets. A well-structured buy-back system would encourage individuals, including waste pickers, to actively collect plastics, helping keep the environment clean while creating jobs,” he explained.
However, he said that not all plastics are suitable for such a scheme, arguing that single-use plastics such as polythene bags and black plastic packaging should be completely banned.
“For the PET bottles and other recyclable plastics, a buy-back system works perfectly. But for the black polythene bags and non-recyclable plastics, the only solution is a total ban. These materials have no secondary use, they are not biodegradable and they cause more harm than good to our environment,” he stressed.
Mr. Odjidja also criticised successive governments for not doing enough to support plastic waste management. He said that while the country has a plastic waste levy in place, it is unclear whether the funds are being properly utilised to support recycling efforts.
“There is supposed to be a levy on plastic waste, but where does that money go? If it were being used for recycling infrastructure and waste management initiatives, we would see better results,” he said.
Furthermore, he urged the government to take decisive action by enacting and enforcing policies that support sustainable waste management.
“We have the laws, but enforcement is the problem. The government needs to ensure that regulations are followed and those who manufacture plastics take responsibility for their waste,” he added.
Mr. Odjidja believes that the private sector also has a role to play in solving the plastic waste problem. He suggested that companies that produce plastics should help manage the waste by investing in recycling systems.
“If a company sells bottled water, part of their revenue should go into recycling the bottles. The private sector can also set up machines that accept plastic bottles and give money in return, like what is done in some European countries,” he said.
Regarding alternatives to single-use plastics, he suggested the country should encourage the use of biodegradable and reusable materials. He cited examples from developed countries where consumers purchase durable shopping bags instead of relying on free polythene packaging.
“In other countries, people use reusable bags when they go shopping instead of getting free plastic bags. Ghana should do the same. If people have to pay for plastic bags, they will think twice before using them,” he said.
He called on government, private sector and the public to work together to reduce plastic waste and keep the environment clean.
“We cannot keep talking without action. The government, private sector and the public must all play their part in ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future. We need strong policies, proper enforcement and better recycling systems. ” he said.
