The World Sustainability Organisation (WSO) has officially introduced its Friend of the Earth (FoE) Sustainable Packaging Certification to Ghana, a move aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting environmentally responsible packaging practices among local businesses.

Speaking on the launch, the Founder and Director of WSO said, “The introduction of the Friend of the Earth certification in Ghana is a decisive step toward a circular economy where packaging is treated as a resource, not waste. We are providing local biological and manufacturing sectors with a verified pathway to reduce plastic pollution and meet global sustainability standards with transparency.”

The certification is an internationally recognised standard that verifies both environmentally responsible and socially accountable packaging practices.

It applies to food and non-food packaging, requiring packaging to be made from at least 95 per cent recycled or sustainably sourced materials and designed to be 100 per cent recyclable, reusable, or recoverable.

Companies seeking certification must undergo rigorous third-party audits to ensure compliance. Key criteria include sustainable raw materials, resource minimisation, environmental management systems such as ISO 14001, and strict adherence to waste and emissions legislation.

Social accountability is also assessed, covering child labour, minimum wages, worker safety, and healthcare.

Where plastic lacks a verifiable recovery system, companies are required to purchase Plastic Offsets to support global recycling efforts.

Globally, traditional packaging, particularly single-use plastics, accounts for roughly 36 per cent of all plastics produced, yet only a small proportion is recycled.

Alarmingly, 91 per cent of all plastic ever produced has never been recycled, highlighting the urgency for solutions like the FoE certification.

In Ghana, the rollout is being facilitated by the Fort Group, which is helping companies align their packaging practices with international sustainability standards.

Through this initiative, Ghanaian businesses are expected to enhance their environmental credentials, meet rising consumer and regulatory expectations, and gain improved access to global markets that increasingly prioritise verified sustainability compliance.

By adopting the certification, companies not only validate their environmental and social commitments but also join a global conservation movement.

The programme also supports environmental projects led by the World Sustainability Foundation, giving consumers a transparent way to back responsible brands while Ghana advances toward a more circular and sustainable packaging economy.

This development comes amid growing awareness of plastic pollution in Ghana, where urban and coastal areas continue to struggle with waste management challenges. The introduction of a globally recognised certification standard is expected to provide both guidance and accountability for businesses seeking to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.