The Finance Bill 2023 has a proposal to remove the locally manufactured plastics from the list of goods subjected to excise duty. This will remove excise duty from locally manufactured plastics and impose the same on imported articles of plastic.
The general principles underpinning sustainable management include promoting the right to a clean and healthy environment; the precautionary principle; the polluter pays principle; zero waste principle and achieving sustainable waste management goals.
Let’s for instance consider the zero-waste principle in the context of beating plastic pollution. Under this principal, products and processes are designed and managed to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, and to conserve and recover all resources, and to prevent the burning or burying of resources. Waste is treated as a resource that can be harnessed for wealth creation, employment and the reduction of pollution.
The Act also mandates private entities and accounting officers of public entities to provide waste segregation receptacles at their premises for organic, plastic and general dry waste. Waste segregation facilitates the process of reuse, recycling, and recovery of plastic waste contributing to the circular economy plastic waste can be accounted for.
Has your county government aligned its solid management laws with Solid Waste Management Act?
For legislative drafters, policy experts and environmental justice enthusiasts, there lies an opportunity for you in the counties as we strive to beat plastic pollution!
Let us isolate and have specific provisions dealing with the plastic menace away from the usual broad provisions of law that deal with solid waste management.
