NEMA Highlights Pollution Caused by Single-Use Plastics

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) of Uganda has warned its citizens of the serious dangers posed by rising single-use plastic pollution in the country.

Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director, NEMA noted that the authority has already initiated a sensitisation campaign outlining the dangers of single-use plastics and the need to avoid their use. As per studies more than three-fourths of the used plastic bottles end up in landfills, lakes, and rivers, thereby causing serious environmental and health threats. To add to the worries, only a small portion of thee wastes are collected and disposed of properly.

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NEMA reminded that manufacturers should willingly take the responsibility of collection of waste, especially plastic. The government will soon implement extended responsibly on manufacturers to ensure that waste generated by them are collected properly. Also, producers must ensure that the plastic products are labelled properly.

Soft drinks bottles and mineral water packed in plastic bottles are being cited as the main plastic waste categories. These plastic bottles tend to block drainages. During rainy season, they reach water ways, thus polluting rivers and lakes. The rest of the waste either reaches landfills or are incinerated.