The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is taking bold action to curb plastic pollution in Uganda and across Africa through the “Circular and POPs-free Plastics” project. This initiative aims to reduce the recycling and use of plastics contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Implemented by NEMA in partnership with United Nation Enviroment Programme (@UNEP_Africa) and funded by the Global Environment Fund (@theGEF), the project targets plastics used in the automobile, construction, and electronics sectors with participants from across Africa.

During the stakeholders meeting, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, executive director of NEMA emphasised the increased need to reduce POPs in plastics by limiting the production, import, and use of contaminated plastics and promoting a circular economy. This initiative marks a major stride toward a cleaner, safer, and plastics-free environment.