Zimbabwe Declares War on Illegal Chinese Plastic Imports
Zimbabwe is grappling with severe plastic pollution due to illegal imports and manufacturing of substandard plastic bags, primarily from China. Vendors and local manufacturers often violate legal thickness requirements, prioritizing lower costs over environmental standards. Despite regulatory attempts, enforcement remains inadequate, leading to significant ecological consequences and ongoing challenges in proper waste disposal.
In Harare, Zimbabwe, Mbare marketplace is overrun with plastic bags, predominantly sourced from Chinese imports or local manufacturers. These bags, often sold at lower prices, fail to adhere to the country’s legal standards regarding plastic thickness, as explained by Tichaona, a vendor who fears repercussions for discussing these practices.
An employee from Colour Maximal, a Chinese-owned plastic manufacturing company, revealed that many customers remain unaware that the plastic bags are thinner than the legal 30-micron minimum. Although Zimbabwe has stringent laws against the production of plastic packaging below this limit, the influx of cheap imports and local production largely ignores these regulations, worsening the pollution crisis.
Donald Marumbwe, who has extensive experience in the plastic industry, pointed out that manufacturers prioritize profitability over quality. Global Press Journal’s independent tests confirmed that samples from Colour Maximal were under the legal thickness, with some bags at only 20 microns. Regarding bread bags, some measured dangerously thin at 6 microns.
Thin plastic, widely used only once, poses severe environmental risks, taking centuries to decompose and contributing to microplastic pollution. On the contrary, thicker plastics are more likely to be recycled and reused. According to Tatenda Murwira, manager at Colour Maximal, the pursuit of lower production costs drives the company’s decision to produce unlawfully thin bags.
Zimbabwe struggles with improper waste disposal, with around 18% of plastic waste not disposed of correctly, which has led to blocked rivers and streets, causing ecological damage and animal fatalities. Amkela Sidange from Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency acknowledged that while they conduct inspections and impose fines on violating companies, enforcement remains a challenge.
Although the agency has visited Colour Maximal, Murwira indicated that the factory had never been inspected for product quality. Additionally, businesses tend to obscure their branding on packaging, making accountability nearly impossible. Most plastic bags sold in Mbare do not carry a manufacturer’s name, complicating tracing back to the source.
Plastic raw material imports from China have risen sharply, illustrated by a fivefold increase from $10.9 million in 2012 to $54.8 million in 2023. This growing reliance on China follows former President Robert Mugabe’s efforts to bolster ties with the nation, leading to increased investments while contributing to ongoing environmental degradation and lax enforcement of regulations.
Gift Mugano, a professor of economics, underscored the troublesome relationship between Chinese investors and Zimbabwean politicians, which leads to scant regard for environmental laws. He labeled this detrimental cooperation as indicative of a new wave of neo-colonialism that compromises Zimbabwe’s environmental integrity.
Despite some measures, such as a 20% tax on plastic bags initiated in January, companies frequently evade compliance. An anonymous source at Colour Maximal mentioned threats from Zimbabwe Revenue Authority over unpaid taxes, while Murwira contested that the company is fully tax compliant. A visit to another local manufacturer revealed unavoidable instances of noncompliance relative to the legal standards.
Zimbabwe faces a profound challenge in managing plastic pollution, exacerbated by the influx of illegal Chinese imports and weakened enforcement of environmental regulations. Local manufacturers, driven by profit motives, produce substandard products that not only contravene established laws but also significantly harm the environment. Efforts to combat this issue remain insufficient and require decisive, strategic action to ensure compliance and environmental protection.
Original Source: www.thezimbabwean.co
