The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has clarified that Ghana’s forthcoming plastic ban will specifically target single-use and non-recyclable plastics—not all plastic products.

Speaking at the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Summit (ESS), organised by the Business & Financial Times (B&FT), Hope Lomotey, Acting Director of the EPA’s Human Settlement Unit, explained that the policy is focused on eliminating plastics that are most harmful to the environment, while allowing the continued use of recyclable and essential plastic materials.

“When we talk about plastics, there’s often confusion,” Mr. Lomotey said. “Rubber is not plastic. Car tyres are not plastic. The issue lies with single-use plastics. These are the real challenge.”

The summit, themed "Ending Plastic Waste in Ghana: A Sustainable Future for All," served as a platform for the EPA to address growing public concern and misinformation surrounding the ban. Industry players and consumers alike had expressed fears of a blanket prohibition on all plastic products, a misconception the EPA is now seeking to correct.

The clarification comes in the wake of the recent passage of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), which consolidates Ghana’s environmental legislation under a new, comprehensive legal framework. The Act enhances the EPA’s authority across all sectors and signals a shift toward more integrated environmental governance.

Ghana generates an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, yet only about 5% is recycled, according to data from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI). The remainder often ends up in landfills, drains, or water bodies—leading to urban flooding, marine pollution, and public health concerns.

“The days of a linear economy—where we take, use, and dispose—are coming to an end,” Mr. Lomotey stated. “We are transitioning to a circular economy where only recyclable plastics will be allowed. Non-recyclable, problematic plastics will no longer have a place in the system.”

To prepare for the transition, the EPA has begun consultations with manufacturers and importers to brief them on the direction of the policy. Mr. Lomotey acknowledged these discussions have been “not palatable,” due to the tension between environmental objectives and business interests. Nonetheless, he emphasized the urgency of beginning the shift, noting that the EPA is also developing strategies to manage plastic waste already in circulation once the ban takes effect.

The proposed policy will align with Ghana’s National Plastic Management Strategy (2020), which promotes recycling infrastructure, public education, and the use of alternatives such as paper, jute, and other biodegradable materials.

Earlier this month, on World Tree Planting Day, President John Mahama also announced a sweeping ban on the importation and production of Styrofoam, reinforcing the government’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution through decisive action.

Analysts view the EPA’s clarification as crucial for building trust and cooperation with the private sector, particularly in industries like food, beverage, and logistics, which rely on recyclable or durable plastics. These sectors are expected to be exempt from the core restrictions.

The EPA’s engagement efforts are also aimed at minimising potential legal or political resistance as enforcement of the policy begins.

“Even after the ban, we must still find ways to deal with the plastics already in the system,” Mr. Lomotey concluded.