Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Keywords:
"Stakeholder involvement"
" Waste management framework"
" Education and awareness"
The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture organized a stakeholders’ (retailers, street vendors, manufacturer’s, consumers) meeting to sensitize, discuss and agree on the introduction of the Plastic Free Wednesdays Campaign. This is a campaign in which the nation is encouraged to observe every Wednesday as a plastic free day through various communication platforms (TV, radio, social and print media) in order to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags. On the 19th June 2021 the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture visited several shops participating in the Plastic Free Wednesdays Campaign and interviewed some Shop Managers and consumers to gather feedback about the campaign. Majority of interviewees welcomed the campaign while a few others were not aware, however a lot of outreach programs are still ongoing to have everyone on board.
In an exclusive interview with Shoprite’s Regional Manager, Mr Pitso Melao it became clear that his company is interested and willing to cooperate and wished the project had started earlier. He said every Wednesday will be free plastic day in all Shoprite and Usave Stores across the country. He also added that they have about 18 stores in the country and said if they mini mize giving customers plastic, they would be contributing in the protection of human health and environment from adverse effects caused by plastic.
On behalf of the Ministry, Ms. Moleboheng Petlane said they were thankful to the public for agreeing to the #plasticfreewednesdays Campaign and also thanked the stores that agreed to work with them cooperatively in making this project a success. Other participating stores include Clicks, Game, Pick n Pay, Pep and Woolworths
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