Eleven companies that make plastics have acquired an injunction that stops the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change from implementing a ban on thin plastics. The Ministry was expected to start implementing the ban on Tuesday, 9 July 2024.
The companies are City Plastics Industry, Flexo Pack Ltd, G. Plastics Wholesale and Retail, G.S Plastic Industry, Jagot Plastics Ltd, O.G Plastics Industries (2008) Ltd, Plastimax Ltd, Polypack Ltd, Qingdao Recycling Ltd, Sharma Industries and Shore Rubber (Lilongwe) Ltd.
These companies are not in a group of firms which was led by Golden Plastics Limited and withdrew their case from Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal on 20 June this year.
The eleven companies are asking the High Court in Lilongwe to refer the matter to the Chief Justice for certification as a constitutional matter saying they want to challenge the constitutionality of the Environment, Management (Plastics) Regulations of 2015.
The regulation is intended to safeguard the environment. This new development means that the implementation of the ban on thin plastics by the government is put on hold and can only be administered if the new order is vacated.
Meanwhile Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Justice Frank Namangale says the Attorney General, who is the Second Defendant in the matter has been served with the order.
By Kondwani Chinele
