Story by Theophilus Chuma
GOVERNMENT in partnership with international environmental agencies, has launched a strategic initiative to curb toxic pollution from plastics, following alarming findings on the presence of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the country.
POPs are hazardous chemicals that persist in the environment, accumulate in the food chain, and pose severe health risks, including cancer and immune system disruption.
“We do indeed have a challenge with persistent organic pollutants in Zimbabwe. And the sector that we are looking at is the construction sector,” environmental consultant, Professor Farai Mapanda said.
With the latest revelations of toxic pollution that is coming from chemicals mixed in the production of plastic, the country could be sitting on a ticking environmental time bomb if the situation is left unabated.
According to experts, the reality of this challenge for Zimbabwe is glaring given the huge imports of plastic into the country where there is limited monitoring.
Meanwhile, the government is collaborating with global environmental partners through a project titled “Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Zimbabwe “, an initiative that seeks to among other issues come up with policy and economic instruments targeting POPs containing plastics.
“We are starting with the building and construction sectors where we are looking at the plastic material that is contained. We do have some results showing that we do have significant quantities of these. The project that we have is looking at how these industries can reduce the quantities.
“The reason why we have found them in these products is very deliberate because the manufacturers use the chemicals to prolong the lifespan of their products so they add these chemicals so that they make them less vulnerable to attack,” Ministry of Environment, Climate & Wildlife director for environment, Mr Edward Samuriwo said.
Studies are, however, revealing a startling trend where these plastics are posing a serious health challenge to human lives once they go to waste.
Against this challenge, the government acknowledges the need to critically look at imported plastic.
“Zimbabwe imports large quantities of plastic and plastic products. Since many of the POPs are already added at the time of importation the project also has a component of dealing with imports,” Mr Samuriwo added.
The government notes this will align with the broader goal outlined in Global Environmental Facilities mission, which is supporting the country’s action to generate global environmental benefits.
