The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture (MTEC) in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday launched the Observing Plastic Free Wednesday project due to start on 14^th July 2021.
The project which is aimed at reducing the use of plastic in the country is expected to last for eight months.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Ntlhoi Motsamai said waste has become a global concern escalating proportionally with economic and population growth, saying it requires governments to strengthen their waste management strategies.
She said key constraints towards sound waste management particularly in developing countries is the lack of financial and infrastructural resources.
She added that the need for a broad-based partnership for buy-in and for sustainability cannot be overemphasized, saying it was against the background that UNDP and MTEC have decided to join hands in a fight against plastic life cycle management and encourage behavioural change for responsible consumption patterns.
‘’The expectation is that single-use plastic shopping bags will not be made available to customers on Wednesdays,” she stressed, saying major retail stores have been approached and have agreed to give support to this noble initiative.
She said it is her strong conviction that working with a broad range of partners and agreeing on several possible solutions such as limited use of plastic in commercial and corporative spaces, enabling the re-use, repurposing and recycling of plastic waste will go a long way in reducing the danger of plastic pollution in the country.
The Minister, therefore, urged Basotho to work together with stakeholders in ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for good health and posterity.
Observing Plastic Free Wednesday project follows the launching of Plastic Waste Management by MTEC in May.
By Staff Reporter: ‘Maphoka Likotsi