Accra, Nov. 14, GNA - Sachet Water Producers and Manufacturers of Plastic Products at a meeting to deal with the problems of disposal of plastic waste in the country agreed to a proposal to levy each kilogram of

plastic products purchased from the factory gate as a contribution from stakeholders to finance the collection of waste. The meeting organized at the instance of the Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives, Mr Alan Kyerematen, also agreed to work through their respective national associations to help resolve the menace.

The various associations were also tasked to submit a full list of all water sachet producers and plastic manufacturers within a month to facilitate easy contact for resolving the problem. The manufacturers and producers also approved an action plan to put the country into zones for collection of the waste product in all the 110 district capitals. They, however, resolved to start implementation of the programmes from the regional capitals.

They also gave the mandate to a committee to determine all manpower requirements, logistic and prepare budget for the attention of the Ministry. Mr Kyeremanten said although Government had a role to play in solving the problem, it behoved all stakeholders to contribute to finding a lasting solution to it.

He said while Government was working to find a long-term solution to the problem through recycling and the use of degradable plastic products, there was the need to institute interim measures to deal with the menace.

Mr Kyeremanten promised to study the situation and see which areas Government could direct its support.

This was in response to complaints by some of the manufacturers engaged in recycling that excessive electricity tariffs and low capacity of plastic waste plants were making the overhead cost unbearable thus leading to the closure of their various operations.