• Latest
NEMA Pushes for Total Ban on Single-Use Carrier Bags

Choking On Plastics: Time for a Ban And a Shift to Sustainable Packaging

July 1, 2025
Elderly Woman Survives River Fall

Elderly Woman Survives River Fall

July 21, 2025
Day Turns to Night: Rare Total Solar Eclipse to Cover  Parts of Earth in Darkness

Day Turns to Night: Rare Total Solar Eclipse to Cover  Parts of Earth in Darkness

July 21, 2025
VINAStech Advert

Centenary University Launches First-Ever PhD in Happiness Studies

July 21, 2025
Two NRM Registrars Arrested Over Election Malpractice

Two NRM Registrars Arrested Over Election Malpractice

July 21, 2025
Uganda decides 2026: The scorecard your MP doesn’t want you to see

Uganda decides 2026: The scorecard your MP doesn’t want you to see

July 21, 2025
Biraro Challenges NRM Primary Results, Pledges Independent Bid

Biraro Challenges NRM Primary Results, Pledges Independent Bid

July 21, 2025
Former Street Boy Turns Graphics Guru, Credits Museveni’s Ghetto Initiative

Museveni Satisfied with PDM Progress, Pledges More Support

July 21, 2025

Museveni Calls for Phasing Out of Mailo Land System to Resolve Land Disputes

July 21, 2025
UJA Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalists, Condemns Violation of Press Freedom

UJA Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalists, Condemns Violation of Press Freedom

July 20, 2025
Rubirizi Dad Held Over Defiling 14-Year-Old Daughter

UPDF Officers, Civilians Under Probe Over Alleged Violent Attack in Buhweju

July 20, 2025

Budget Cuts Cripple KCCA Service Delivery, Mayor Uhuru

July 19, 2025
“No More Tolerance”: Museveni Blasts Judges Over Bail for Criminals

“No More Tolerance”: Museveni Blasts Judges Over Bail for Criminals

July 19, 2025
  • About Us
  • Internship
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Parrots Media
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • News
    Elderly Woman Survives River Fall

    Elderly Woman Survives River Fall

    Biraro Challenges NRM Primary Results, Pledges Independent Bid

    Biraro Challenges NRM Primary Results, Pledges Independent Bid

    UJA Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalists, Condemns Violation of Press Freedom

    UJA Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalists, Condemns Violation of Press Freedom

    Budget Cuts Cripple KCCA Service Delivery, Mayor Uhuru

    “No More Tolerance”: Museveni Blasts Judges Over Bail for Criminals

    “No More Tolerance”: Museveni Blasts Judges Over Bail for Criminals

    Journalists Urged to Use Storytelling to Spotlight Drowning Crisis

    National Drowning Prevention Week: Staying Safer Together

    Trending Tags

  • Climate Change
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Others
    • Education
    • Lifestyle
    • Religion
    • Opinions
  • News
    Elderly Woman Survives River Fall

    Elderly Woman Survives River Fall

    Biraro Challenges NRM Primary Results, Pledges Independent Bid

    Biraro Challenges NRM Primary Results, Pledges Independent Bid

    UJA Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalists, Condemns Violation of Press Freedom

    UJA Demands Immediate Release of Detained Journalists, Condemns Violation of Press Freedom

    Budget Cuts Cripple KCCA Service Delivery, Mayor Uhuru

    “No More Tolerance”: Museveni Blasts Judges Over Bail for Criminals

    “No More Tolerance”: Museveni Blasts Judges Over Bail for Criminals

    Journalists Urged to Use Storytelling to Spotlight Drowning Crisis

    National Drowning Prevention Week: Staying Safer Together

    Trending Tags

  • Climate Change
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Business
  • Others
    • Education
    • Lifestyle
    • Religion
    • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Parrots Media
No Result
View All Result
Home CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS

Choking On Plastics: Time for a Ban And a Shift to Sustainable Packaging

Columnist by Columnist
July 1, 2025
in CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS, Climate Change
0
NEMA Pushes for Total Ban on Single-Use Carrier Bags

Plastic Waste Products

33
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on X

OPINION

Plastic pollution in Uganda has reached alarming levels, threatening not just the environment but public health, livelihoods, and social equity. According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the country generates over 600 metric tonnes of plastic waste daily, totalling more than 219,000 metric tonnes annually. Shockingly, only about 6% of this waste is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, water bodies, open fields, and drainage systems.

READ ALSO

Op-Ed: Why oil is not a critical mineral

Environmental Experts Push for LPG Financing to Save Forests and Protect Public Health

This plastic epidemic is contaminating our soil, clogging drainage systems, fueling urban floods, and degrading ecosystems. It is killing fish in our lakes and rivers, releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere when burned, and suffocating life in both rural and urban areas.

Shallon Ainembabazi, Programs Officer WoGEM Uganda.

Women, in particular carry the heaviest burden in many communities it is women who deal with blocked water sources take care of sick family members exposed to toxic fumes and suffer economic losses when soil infertility reduces agricultural yields. In informal waste collection jobs, women are often exposed to dangerous plastic materials without safety protections, making them vulnerable to diseases and injuries.

ADVERTISEMENT

Plastic pollution is a climate issue that when burnt a common method of disposal plastics release greenhouse gases and harmful chemicals like dioxins and furans, contributing to global warming and respiratory illnesses.

In response to this growing crisis, the President recently made a strong call that was conveyed by the minister of state and cooperatives while at the celebration of world Environmental day in kabale of the need to revisit and embrace the wisdom of our ancestors, who used natural materials like papyrus reeds and banana leaves for sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging solutions as alternatives to plastics.

To effectively reduce the dependence on plastics, we must promote and invest in affordable, accessible, and sustainable packaging solutions, such as biodegradable bags that decompose easily without harming the environment, cloth and sisal bags can be made locally by women’s cooperatives and small business, creating jobs and reducing waste, recycled materials where plastic must still be used ,promoting high quality recycled plastics in a circular economy can reduce and limit virgin plastic production and for food storage, beverages, and cosmetics, glass and stainless steel offer reusable, safe alternatives that do not pollute the environment.

Clean Cooking

These alternatives are not just good for the planet they are good for the economy. They create green jobs, promote local innovation, and support small enterprises, especially women-led businesses producing sustainable goods.We call upon the government to take urgent and decisive action in addressing plastic pollution by investing in sustainable, locally made alternatives. This includes supporting the development and production of eco friendly materials and products that can replace single use plastics, particularly those that are biodegradable or made from natural resources available within the country.

We furthermore urge the government to provide financial incentives, grants and tax relief for green innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses that are actively working on innovative environmental solutions. Encouraging research and development in green technologies will not only tackle pollution but also green jobs and stimulate local economies.

In addition, we advocate for the strengthening and expansion of recycling infrastructure and programs across all communities. This should include public education campaigns on waste segregation, the establishment of efficient collection systems and support for informal waste workers who play a crucial role in recycling efforts.

By promoting local innovation, supporting green enterprise and improving recycling systems, the government can lead the way in building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all
The time to act is now.

By Ainembabazi Shallon,
The writer is a Programs officer at Women for Green Economy Movement (WOGEM) Uganda.
E-mail: shaciaine@gmail.com

Tags: Plastic wasteShallon AinembabaziWoGEM

Related Posts

Civil Society Groups Condemn EACOP Financing
Climate Change

Op-Ed: Why oil is not a critical mineral

July 12, 2025
CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS

Environmental Experts Push for LPG Financing to Save Forests and Protect Public Health

June 24, 2025
CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS

The unveiled carbon markets regulations: How will local communities truly benefit

June 19, 2025
Call for action and tree planting campaigns gain momentum
CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS

Call for action and tree planting campaigns gain momentum

June 11, 2025
NUP Leader, Family Killed in Mukono Road Crash
CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS

KABALE: Six-Year-Old Girl Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident

June 6, 2025
Climate Change

Uganda Needs To Break Up With Plastic!

June 5, 2025
Next Post

We don't encourage abortion, says UNFPA Country Representative

POPULAR NEWS

Catholic Priest Speaks Out Against Museveni and Son’s Leadership

Catholic Priest Speaks Out Against Museveni and Son’s Leadership

February 16, 2025

Former IGP Okoth Ogola Dies

February 14, 2025

A Love Beyond Distance: A review of Leonard Kamugisha Akida’s poetic tribute on valentine’s day

February 14, 2025

Besigye Sends Easter Message from Luzira Prison as Archbishop Kazimba Urges for Release of Political Prisoners

April 18, 2025
Brutality at KIU: Students Assaulted by Officials at Examination Hall

KIU Loses Bid to Block Payment of Shillings 46.8 Billion to Housing Finance Bank

March 12, 2025

EDITOR'S PICK

Moral Bankruptcy and Cultural Erosion: Uganda’s Growing Concern

June 26, 2024

Three Sudanese Professors, IUIU Lecturer Among 11 Victims Of Entebbe Expressway Accident

March 5, 2023
KCCA, Energy ministry sign partner on waste management project

KCCA, Energy ministry sign partner on waste management project

September 26, 2021
Villa Surfaces on Matchday 4 Fixtures

Villa Surfaces on Matchday 4 Fixtures

October 29, 2021
VINAStech advert VINAStech advert VINAStech advert
ADVERTISEMENT

About

Parrots Media

A Public Relations and Media Services Company registered and licensed to operate in Uganda and the Great Lakes Region.

Follow us

Categories

  • Business
  • BUSINESS REPORTS
  • CLIMATE ACTION REPORTS
  • Climate Change
  • COMMUNITY REPORTS
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • FEATURES
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • News
  • Obituary
  • OBITUARY
  • Opinions
  • Religion
  • RELIGION
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • TOURISM

Recent Updates

  • Elderly Woman Survives River Fall
  • Day Turns to Night: Rare Total Solar Eclipse to Cover  Parts of Earth in Darkness
  • Centenary University Launches First-Ever PhD in Happiness Studies
  • Two NRM Registrars Arrested Over Election Malpractice
July 2025
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Jun    
  • About Us
  • Internship
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Parrots Media | Website Designed and Maintained by VINAStech

No Result
View All Result
  • Parrots Media
  • News
  • Business
  • Science and Technology
  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Others
    • Climate Change
    • Education
    • Religion
    • Opinions

© 2025 Parrots Media | Website Designed and Maintained by VINAStech

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

You cannot copy content of this page