Unilever Ghana Plc in Tema is pushing towards achieving 100 % recyclable, reusable or compostable plastics by 2025 to help address the endless threats plastics pose to the environment.   

Over the last few years, about 400 million tonnes of plastics are said to be produced globally annually with half of this figure being single-used plastics and polluting the environment.

The impact of the plastics menace cannot be underestimated with the ocean and ocean life at the receiving end.

Organizations around the world are making frantic efforts in helping address this mess.

Unilever Ghana Plc which believes in sustainability said this trend cannot be allowed to continue, calling for deliberate and conscious attempts in bringing in the much-desired change.

Supply Chain Director at Unilever Ghana Plc, Mayank Kapoor was speaking to Joy News as the company with support from Ghana Recycling Initiative by Private Enterprise (GRIPE) cleaned post-consumer plastic waste at the Community 3 beach.

“We’re here today with GRIPE, Coastal Conservancy Organisation, and volunteers of Unilever with support from Tema Metropolitan Assembly to clean the place, collecting plastics as part of our mission and agenda as well,” he said.   

According to United Nations, over 17 million metric tons of plastics found their way into the ocean which make up 85% of the litter in the ocean as of 2021.

The 2-hour cleanup exercise at Community 3 beach close to terminal 3 of the Tema port saw participants collecting over four tonnes of plastics after Coastal Conservancy Organisation weighed them. 

The exercise also forms part of Unilever’s target to collect 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste along Ghana’s shores by the close of 2023 which is their quota for a waste-free world.   

Supply Chain Director at Unilever Ghana Plc, Mayank Kapoor used the occasion to appeal to media outlets to join the drive in ridding the environment of plastic waste.

He said there is a need to bring children on board to inculcate in them the attitude of ensuring a sustainable environment.

He thanked all participating organisations and volunteers.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Coastal Conservancy Organisation, Justice Eshun explained why removing plastics around the Terminal 3 area was crucial.

“It was important we chose this location because plastics are difficult to collect when in water and because it’s transboundary, it can literally move anywhere”

“ I’m suggesting Unilever regularises this activity to be embarked on annually. To rid the environment of plastics should not be Unilever’s headache alone. I entreat every organisation in the country to be part of this,” he urged.

He lauded Unilever Ghana Plc for having put in resources to carry out this exercise.

Mr Eshun added that having plastics around is a bother with all the attendant menace including flooding.

According to him, waste management companies can do their best but dealing with waste issues starts from homes and the general attitude towards waste must look at with all seriousness.