Owners of industries charged with the production and distribution of plastic packaging material, in Cameroon have requested for a 12-month prolongation from the April 24 deadline of their ban.

The ban is on the manufacture, possession and marketing or free distribution of low-density non-biodegradable plastic packages. The category of plastics banned concern those of less than or equal to 60 microns thick as well as granules used in their manufacture.

The manufacturers grouped under an umbrella called: “Association Camerounaise des Professionnels de la Plasturgie, AC2P,” presented their request in Yaounde April 16 at a meeting with the Director of Industry in the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development.

The AC2P delegation was led by its President, Emmanuel Wafo, who said they were not only requesting for the deadline to be pushed by 12 months but also want the immediate application of the article on biodegradability of plastic packages of less than 60 microns for some types of packages to be clearly specified.

Calling for a revisit and amendment of the joint decision of October 24, 2012 imposing the ban of plastics by the Ministers of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development and that of Trade, the AC2P proposed its own strategy on the reduction of impact of plastics in Cameroon spanning from 2015 to 2025 and beyond.

Phase one of the proposal from 2015 to 2017 consists of cancelling environmental permits and caution; intense sensitisation of the population; funding of research on alternative packages; studies and negotiations for putting in place of a para-public company for collection of plastics from the environment; reduction in customs duty on basic products for fabrication of biodegradable packages; fight against contraband from Nigeria and China and the putting in place of a mixed control brigade, amongst others.

The Wafo-led association also proposed to Government that between 2017 and 2024, norms on plastic packages should be put in place by the National Agency on Norms (ANOR) while the free distribution of the plastic packages should be banned completely. The institution of an ecological tax on products made up of 100 percent plastics; the progressive putting in place of selective trash cans for plastics and the setting up of factories for the production of alternative packages within the same period, constitute part of the proposed package to Government.

Meanwhile, from 2025 and beyond, AC2P proposes that the complete ban on non-biodegradable plastics should go operational. From this period, they think that recuperation of plastics from the environment would have been more organised while recycling structures would have been developed and functioning effectively. Wafo, however, regretted that if Government insists on implementing the ban come April 24, instead of first looking for palliative measures, thousands of jobs, both direct and indirect would be lost.

Talking to the press after the close-door meeting, the Director of Industry, Mindjos Momeny, said the meeting, which was ordered by the Minister, was in response to complaints received from manufacturers of plastic packages. He said the issue of banning plastics is not only that of Cameroon but that it is an international trend considering the damaging effects it has on the environment and health of the population. He noted that there are already some substitutes to plastic packages in the market.

Acknowledging the negative impact on industries operating in the sector and insisting that the ban would be strictly applied, Mindjos said the 18 months period of grace was enough for dealers in the sector to begin to adjust. He added that the joint decision was taken after a series of concerting meetings with dealers of the sector.

According to Mindjos, from April 24, surveillance operations would be carried out and those resisting the implantation of the ban would face repression as prescribed by the 1994 Law on forestry, wildlife and the environment. In response to a question, he said as the operation would be going on, ways are likely to be sought, if need be, on how to assist the manufacturers modify their factories so as to start production of biodegradable packages.