A crackdown on plastic production companies, wholesalers and retailers started Monday.

Since the ban on the production, distribution and use of light-weight plastics of less than 60 microns by the Ministries of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development and that of Trade in April 2014, little or nothing has changed. Despite the adverse effects of the use of the banned plastics, some companies still produce huge quantities while wholesalers import with impunity from neighbouring countries. Due to the adverse effects on man, biodiversity and the environment, the ministry of Environment has vowed to kick out the said plastics from circulating by implementing repressive measures.

In littoral, the Regional Delegation, a mission from Yaounde, law enforcement officers and members of the Littoral Control Mission against Illegal Plastics, combed markets and plastic production companies and seized about 10 tonnes of the said banned plastics in two days. The crackdown that started January 3 will run till January 10. According to the Sub Director of Waste, Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals Management in the Ministry of Environment, Lemnyuy Albun William Banye, many cattle and sea animals have died after consuming the plastics. The plastics that are difficult to collect and recycled also leads to soil infertility and has as well destroyed a lot of biodiversity.

On the field, traders and shopkeepers insisted that heavy-weight plastics of more than 60 microns are not available, reason why they go in for the light ones. The argument according to Lemnyuy William is unfounded since they prefer cheap plastics to make more profit. Since some of the plastics enter Cameroon through the porous borders, the delegation of Environment has been working in collaboration with customs officers who help in, tracking down some perpetuators. So far about 25 tonnes was seized last year while about 10 tonnes has been seized this year in just two days which is an indicator that the end of light-weight plastics is near.

Environmental Control Posts would be created at the sea ports and borders in the near future to check the entry of such plastics in the country. The seized plastics will be destroyed by piecing and later handed to companies with environmental permits for recycling.