In 2018, the government of the Republic of Zambia signed a statutory instrument (SI) number 65 of 2018 to be enforced by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) in the spirit of section 58 of the Environmental Management Act of 2011. Essentially, the SI seeks to enforce the principle of extended producer responsibility (ERP) by restricting, among other things, plastics below 30 microns in thickness.

However, it appears that there is a passive approach to enforcing and monitoring the SI's implementation and adherence. Retailers and small-scale plastic manufacturers continue to sell plastic bags that aren't thick enough. Not much has been done in recent years to reduce the use of plastic bags, which continue to harm our environment.

These non-biodegradable plastics pollute the environment by clogging drainage systems, creating flooding in our cities and townships, and poisoning water, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases. The 2022 World Environment Day Campaign #OnlyOneEarth calls for collective transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet, our common home.

To effect change, we are urging the government through Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), the Lusaka City Council, civil society organizations, the business community, and individuals to join forces and take meaningful steps to protect our environment by:

1. Reinforcing SI 65 of 2018 and international agreements that promote recycling and the ban on single-use plastics, as well as negotiating new ones.
2. Organizing grassroots community awareness campaigns about the crucial importance of recycling and environmental protection.
3. Supporting efforts that assist families and companies in providing waste resource materials for repurposing, making environmental protection and recycling a shared responsibility.
4. Support programs that promote better recycling practices through innovation, research, and activities.

The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) challenged all of us to play our roles to mitigate plastic pollution. Amongst the things that we could do as a collective is cutting of greenhouse gasses and use less non-biodegradable products especially plastics.

Will you join us in urging the government through the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to enforce SI 65 of 2018 by sharing with the public their plans on monitoring and evaluating adherence to the Statutory Instrument to conserve and preserve the environment? 

To support this action and petition and ensure that our message reaches as many people as possible, PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION.