Ethiopia: Preventing the Hazard of Waste Pollution



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By Betelhem Bedlu

In most urban areas, in addition to the global problem of climate change, waste from factories, industries and households take the largest share in the pollution of the environment. environment. These conditions are mainly observed in cities in developing countries, including Addis Ababa, because of the lack of modern waste management.

Irresponsible and reckless practices of waste disposal, besides air, water and soil pollution. also distorts the beautification of cities.

Among the hazardous waste that threatens the environment; Plastic waste is the main contributor which constitutes a relatively larger part. Plastics are dangerous for the environment in many aspects. Providentially, if they are properly managed, they could be turned into raw material for the production of other goods.

It is clear that plastics are inexpensive, durable, easy to transport and attractive. However, if they are not properly removed, they are toxic and aggravate the pollution of the environment.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MEFCC), in Ethiopia, plastics account for nine to fourteen percent of urban waste. 1965-9007] Girma Gemechu, Director of Solid and Hazardous Waste Compliance Monitoring at the Ministry, told The Ethiopian Herald newspaper that it was very detrimental to the image of health and the environment of the country. inhabitants

. And this process will easily release harmful chemicals like methane and carbon dioxide in the air, like it. These chemicals can gradually soil the purity of the air and water as well as the soil; which can cause respiratory and respiratory problems on humans and gradually warm the environment.

In addition to these major problems, plastic waste can damage city drainage channels by closing them and stripping the beauty of the environment. According to his explanations, companies that invest in the production of bottled water and other users of plastic products such as juice, chocolate, cookies, plastic bag producers and tastes took the lion's share.

The world has not yet reached the stage of prevention of the use of plastic products; However, some countries manage to control the situation and reduce the danger in different ways. Going from the establishment of production guidelines in a way that allows them to prevent dangerous inputs from restricting the importation, sale and use of quality plastic products countries take different measures. In this way, most European countries could be taken as an example, he noted.

The issue is not just a problem of developing countries. On the contrary, it is also a big concern at the international level. That made the theme of this year's World Environment Day, "Beating Plastic Pollution".

Society is vulnerable to this problem and the government to mitigate the problem takes different steps. It is striving to modernize the disposal system. There is also an effort to sensitize society by using the media and involving senior officials in the clean-up program.

However, Girma pointed out that, however, 50 percent of waste is disposed of in a careless manner. Thus, the MEFCC is working to put in place additional measures. As a result, he noted that a new regulation has been developed and expects to be ratified by parliament. When the regulation is ratified, it should alleviate problems with plastic products, he added. The regulation will limit the importation and production of plastic products of less than 0.03 mm grade, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy. It also prevents people from selling and using substandard products.

Not only that, but also companies that make bottled water and those that use plastic containers for their products. In addition to this effort, Girma urged all actors such as the media and environmental companies to raise awareness on this issue and to work together; 50% of these hazards are mitigated only by concerted public efforts. He also stressed the importance of plastic bags replacing materials.

In addition, he pointed out that if plastic waste could be managed appropriately, they can be used as inputs for the production of building materials such as ducts. Currently, there are two companies that produce ducts using plastic waste and export inputs independently. Therefore, he said that society including stakeholders should give due attention to this problem.

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