Maseru __ Addressing plastic pollution is an urgent matter as it poses a significant threat to human health while also compromising ecosystem functioning across the land.

Therefore, if Lesotho is to accomplish Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), especially goal number three pertaining to good health and well-being as well as goal thirteen relating to climate change, more and more efforts must be done and implemented.

These are some of the sentiments gathered from a local Economist, Dr. Ratjomose Machema when appreciating government’s efforts in curbing plastic pollution and climate change through Environment (Plastic Levy) Regulations, 2022 Pursuant to section 113 of the Environment Act, 2008.

However, he is adamant that tackling this urgent matter is a process requiring not only the set regulations but ensuring that plastic importation is stopped completely as this would ensure eradication of plastic use. Issues of plastic tariffs should also be considered". he stressed.

As it is now, the Economist explained that the said regulations seem to be some sort of revenue as some customers will still buy plastic, thus circulation continues.

Meanwhile, through the Agency’s observations, some shops, supermarkets and companies locally are already implementing the regulations as plastic is being sold to a tune of M1.30 cents with customers adapting to the changes as some say they already saw this happening in other countries, including nearby South Africa.

One of the street vendors, Mrs. Mamello Mokhatholane of Ha Thetsane Maseru implied that in the past, not giving a plastic to a customer after he or she bought fruits was unacceptable but now, this will preserve their profits as they no longer have to worry about plastics.

She further talked about the disadvantages of plastics that include plastic pollution which she said can lead to economic loss as well as affect the well-being of communities amongst others.

The Agency established that regulations are set to be directives from the government expected to be maintained as they are lawfully enforced. Under the imposition of levy, the regulations stipulate that a levy of Ninety Lisente shall be charged on a plastic shopping bag and may be renewed by notice published in Gazette and that the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, review the amount of money imposed as a levy on plastic shopping.

Information received from the United Nations shows that about 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced since the 1950s.