The Zambia Environmental Management Agency -ZEMA says it positive that the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility regulations will result in minimization of waste and promote a cleaner and healthier Zambia.
In a statement made available to Money FM News ZEMA Director General John Msimuko says EPR regulations have economic benefits among them a reduction of waste disposal costs, job creation through establishment of recycling industries and conservation of natural resources.
Mr Msimuko says EPR regulations require persons whose activities generate waste with potential to pollute the environment to employ measures essential to minimize waste through treatment, reclamation, re-use or recycling.
“New Businesses that intend to manufacture, import, and trade or commercially distribute packaging materials in Zambia covered under the Regulations will need to be registered at least one month prior to the commencement of their operations,” He said.
“Existing Businesses that manufacture, import, trade in or commercially distribute packaging materials in Zambia specified under the Regulations are also required to register their activities by 13th August, 2019,”
Mr Msimuko says the Agency has since set 14th February 2019 as the deadline to ban plastic use not meeting 30 microns requirements.
And speaking at the public discussion in Lusaka, ZEMA Director for Legal Services Humphrey Mwale says producers that fail to register their products commit an offence and will be liable to upon conviction to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand penalty units or to an imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or both.

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