FePMRUG Seeks Urgent Govt. Aid to Boost Ghana's Plastics Recycling Sector

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Federation of Plastic Manufacturers Recyclers and Users Group (FePMRUG), in collaboration with national policymakers and entrepreneurs is seen formulating plans to provide big boost to the country’s plastic recycling efforts. The country had recently reported notable progress in plastic recycling rates.

According to FePMRUG, the country generates approximately 1.7 billion tonnes of plastic scrap every year, with volumes growing tremendously with each passing year. Estimates indicate that plastics account for almost 16% of the country’s total waste stream.

Ghana recycles only a small portion of the plastic waste it generates. In fact, the recycling rate had remained stagnant at around 1% for past several years. However, the rate has seen dramatic improvement during recent years, thanks to concerted efforts by FePMRUG in partnership with other industry stakeholders.

The recycling in the country is managed by small to medium sized recycling companies, who are very much in need of financial support from the government. FePMRUG noted that the special recycling fund set up to fund recycling sector using revenues from taxes have not so far benefitted these companies. The millions already available with the fund must be made available to recyclers so as to boost recycling activities, it said.

In addition, Environment Minister Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng had recently announced creation of a new fund at the Bank of Ghana using recycling fees paid by plastic importers and manufacturers. The government should do the needful to make the funds available to recyclers.