Meshia Mambo
Government has launched a validation workshop to test a draft communication strategy on persistent organic pollutants in plastic products nationwide.
The draft was reviewed during a meeting in Harare where experts joined to discuss and refine how the public, industry and communities will be informed about the risks of these
chemicals.
“We cannot solve a problem that people do not know about, and that is why today’s workshop is important,” said Acting Deputy Director for Environmental Quality Angella
Meris Kabira, who opened the gathering on behalf of the Permanent Secretary for Environment.
“This workshop seeks to strengthen information sharing on (persistent organic pollutants) and chart how stakeholders across sectors can collaborate on developing lasting solutions,” she
added.
The workshop supports the Circular and POPs-Free Plastics in Africa Project, a five-year regional initiative that seeks to cut the import, production and use of persistent organic
pollutants in plastics.
Kabira said Zimbabwe was proud to be an executing agency alongside Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.
She described the pollutants as “persistent toxic chemicals that bioaccumulate in living organisms and contaminate our soil, our water and food chain.”
“Without proper management and end of life traceability, recycling or disposing of (plastics containing these pollutants) simply redistributes this hazard across ecosystems,” she warned.
She said the project directly advances National Development Strategy 2 and “reinforces NDS 2’s core emphasis on sustainable manufacturing.”
“Aligning regional circular economy interventions with Zimbabwe’s national policy frameworks ensures that economic growth under Vision 2030 remains clean, climate resilient and socially inclusive,” she said.
“The draft communication and implementation strategy, which we will validate, will help us raise awareness about (these pollutants) and their risks, share clear and useful information
with all stakeholders.
“The strategy must, therefore, speak to the stakeholders across the construction sectors, manufacturers, our importers, recyclers, waste collectors, policy makers, schools and communities,” said Kabira.
“I encourage all of you here today to interrogate the draft rigorously and offer constructive feedback to ensure that the strategy is robust, contextually relevant and actionable for Zimbabwe,” she urged delegates.
She hailed the United Nations Environment Programme and the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre in Nigeria “for their continued technical and financial support.”
“My ministry remains committed to this project and to ensuring a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for all.”
