The Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has commenced a plastic waste audit in the New Juaben South Municipality of the Eastern Region to identify plastic brands that contribute most to environmental pollution in the municipality to inform data driving plastic waste recovery efforts.
The exercise forms part of the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GAYO and the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly to enhance sustainable solid waste management and environmental protection within the municipality.
The waste audit will assess the composition and characteristics of plastic waste generated in the municipality, identify the most prevalent brands found in the environment, and provide data to support effective waste recovery and recycling interventions.
According to George Tutu -Yeboah, Eastern Regional Waste Coordinator for GAYO, the findings will help inform decision by the organization to establish Waste Recovery facility in the municipality amd also advocate for manufacturing companies to adopt effective waste recovery policies in line with national regulations and global sustainability standards.
The organization noted that under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles, plastic manufacturers are expected to assume financial and operational responsibility for the collection, recovery and recycling of plastic packaging after it has been used by consumers.
GAYO is therefore calling on manufacturers to implement comprehensive waste recovery strategies, including redesigning packaging to embrace the “5Rs” of sustainability – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle – while establishing collection and buy-back systems in collaboration with local authorities, waste collectors and recycling companies.
The organization further urged manufacturers to adopt traceability and auditing systems to accurately monitor the quantity of plastic waste recovered and recycled, ensuring transparency and measurable progress toward environmental sustainability.
The partnership between GAYO and the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly seeks to improve waste segregation and sorting, allowing recyclable materials to be recovered and supplied to industries for reuse instead of ending up at landfill sites.
Officials say the initiative will contribute to reducing the volume of waste disposed of at final disposal sites, promote a circular economy and support climate-friendly environmental practices within the municipality.
The New Juaben South Municipal Assembly currently spends between GH¢80,000 and GH¢200,000 every week on waste management, underscoring the growing financial burden of poor waste disposal and the need for effective waste recovery systems.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
