Zimbabwe Bans Polystyrene Pack

Zimbabwean government has imposed a ban on foamed polystyrene food packs in the country, citing health risk.

In a statement on Thursday, the country’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA), gave business owners till October 17, 2017, to comply with the new directive

The ban according to the agency is part of plans by the government to health hazard and environmental pollution linked to use of polystyrene.

Polystyrene foam is common is packaging food in Zimbabwe, due to its affordability.
They are not biodegradable and are difficult to recycle making them an environmental pollutant.

As part of the order, those found violating the ban could attract a fine of up to 5,000 dollars.

Zimbabwe joins a growing list of countries, especially in the west to impose restrictions on use of the foam containers in serving food over the years.
Reacting to the directive, Theo Dos Santos, a restaurant owner in Harare, the Zimbabwe capital, said the ban presents new challenges for business owners across the country.

“The problem is that it was done with a short notice and some of us who were caught unaware think we should have been given time for us to prepare ourselves to adjust to the new packaging because even the suppliers are not yet ready to supply us with the new packaging,” he said.

Non-degradable polymers like polystyrene require more than 200 years to begin even partial degradation and cannot be easily incinerated since they emit highly toxic gases.