Eswatini Environment Authority says that as much as they are striving for a plastic-free economy, they also acknowledge that there are businesses that operate in the plastic industry and employ a number of EmaSwati.
By Ntokozo Nkambule
The Executive Director of the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA) Gcina Dladla says they are aware that a number of private sector companies involved in the manufacturing of plastics are affected by actions taken by them as a government agency to ensure a plastic-free economy.
Dladla however, noted that they are working with companies operating in that value chain, to ensure that they come up with ways of meeting each other halfway. He was speaking during the Inception Workshop by Women Unlimited on Eswatini Zero Plastic Contamination Initiative, which is supported by GEF Small Grants Programme under UNDP. Dladla said there was no denying that there is a huge value chain benefiting from the entire plastic industry.
Furthermore, Dladla also revealed that as a government agency they are working on ensuring they cut emissions by 2030. “We have committed ourselves as a country through the National Determined Commitment for Climate Change targets for the country. The issue of waste is still one of those concerns that we need to deal with particularly cutting our waste emissions in 2030 by 14 percent”
The government agency has rolled out a number of initiatives to try and combat the use of plastics in the economy. He said one of those initiatives is the Hloba Swaziland Campaign, and the most notable campaign being the Phatsa Sakho Nawe, where they partnered with local retailers.