Managers of the Plastic Waste Management Programme are challenging government and stakeholders to remain committed to the implementation of policies governing plastic materials in the country due to its benefits to the economy.

A ban on biodegradable plastics became operational on November 1 although one on light plastics which was also initially announced to be effected is currently on hold, following a petition by some plastic producers.

Director of the Programme Quaranchie Adama-Tettey tells JOY BUSINESS, concerns about the cost of producing biodegradable plastics cannot be compared to the benefits.

Ghana has settled on the conventional polyolefin plastic – oxo-biodegradable – plastics as the additive for plastics.

There were concerns by some manufacturers and consumers that a policy to produce only biodegradable plastics in the country would cause an increase in the cost of the product – a cost which usually is passed onto consumers.

But for Mr. Adama-Tettey, “the cost amounts to nothing if you look at the negative effects of the product as we have it currently, and up to this point we need to ensure that we go through with this so that our fight against the plastic waste menace is successful.”

According to him, just 1 percent contributes to the about 3 to 5 percent increase in the cost of the plastic production.

 “We want to entreat all stakeholders including the government to follow through with this process to ensure that we do not go back to where we started from” Mr. Adama-Tettey noted.