EPA CEO rejects manufacturer requests to delay 2027 Styrofoam ban

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ghana has officially declined requests from local manufacturers and importers to extend the deadline for the nationwide ban on polystyrene foam and specific single-use plastics. Speaking in Wa, EPA CEO Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse confirmed that the ban will be strictly enforced starting January 1, 2027. She emphasized that the policy, which follows an announcement by President John Mahama on World Environment Day 2025, prioritizes public health and environmental protection over commercial profits.

The upcoming regulations target a wide range of products, including polystyrene takeaway food containers and foam mattresses. Additionally, the EPA intends to phase out single-use thin polythene bags. Professor Klutse noted that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles would be exempt from the immediate ban because they are more easily recyclable. The authority is now urging businesses and the public to adopt sustainable alternatives, such as reusable containers, ahead of the 2027 implementation date.

To ensure the policy's success, the EPA is coordinating with local authorities and security personnel who are being prepared to enforce the ban rigorously across the country. The agency also plans to introduce a reward system to encourage compliance among citizens and businesses. This environmental initiative has gained support from other government branches, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, which highlighted the role of reduced plastic waste in promoting healthier practices within the agricultural sector.

Professor Klutse described the transition as a shared responsibility, framing the move as essential for securing Ghana's environmental future. By maintaining the 2027 timeline, the EPA aims to address the long-standing challenge of plastic pollution in drainage systems and natural ecosystems. The two-year lead time is intended to allow the private sector to adjust its operations while underscoring the government's firm stance on environmental sustainability.