Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
Plastic wastes are a big problem to the environment, and the effects are felt by humans on a daily basis. In Douala, economic capital of Cameroon, the
situation is more severe given that a good number of plastic packaging and distribution companies are based in the city.
According to the report from the Research and Education Centre for Development (CREPD), companies like “Nestlé, Source du Pays Sa, Group SABC, CHOCOCAM, Hola Industries, are the worst polluters of the environment with plastic wastes in Douala”.
“Plastic pollution is a threat to the environment and human health,” the report reads. The wastes, mostly bio non-degradable substances obstruct different water runways, provoking floods. They can stay in the environment for up to 450 years before degrading, and even when they degrade, they still pollute the food system.
“It is evident that the population unconsciously pay the price of being exposed to the toxic chemicals contained in the plastics used in packaging food products,” says Dr. Gilbert KUEPOUO, a aquariumCoordinator of CREPD.
The reports cite some health challenges from this situation like; hormonal disfunction, fertility reduction, damages in nervous system, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, cancer of the liver and lungs, among others.
Responsibilities
There are world standards regulating environmental waste management, and Cameroon has taken a series of measure to regulate at the national level. Unfortunately, most plastic polluters fail to respect.
“Poor waste management especially in Douala is provoked by violations of dispositions contained in a 2012 joint ministerial decision on waste management,” says Mr. HAMADJODA, focal point of the Bâle Convention in Cameroon.
The Bâle convention is a global agreement aimed at stopping plastic pollution. The 2012 joint ministerial decision demands that producers and distributors of non-biodegradable plastic papers should put in place measures to recollect and recycle waste.
“Such companies must align with the national recommendations in view of protecting human health in the future,” says Mr YIMKOUA Didier, Director of the training centre for professional environmental fields.
Way forward
In the face of all these, the Research and Education Centre for Development wants national and local authorities to intervene.l
Local councils they say should hold these polluting companies responsible for their actions to the environment and society in general.
Focus should also be on the production and distribution chain with emphasis on the companies to implement new strategies like focusing on reusable plastics and proper collection methods, especially in the era of circular economy.
