Malawi moves towards a green circular economy.

A movement for the adoption of green circular economy is gaining momentum in Malawi amid widespread concerns over improper waste management and ecosystem damage.

Circular economy, championed by an environmental organisation Waste Advisers, is an economic model that aims to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.

Waste Advisers recently convened a meeting in the commercial city-Blantyre to establish a national circular and green economy network to facilitate implementation of the agenda.

The network comprising captains of industry, environmental advocates, city authorities and the media, will drive the circular economy agenda for human wellbeing and ecosystem resilience.

In his presentation tittled: The need to establish a National Circular Economy, Waste Advisers Programs Director John Chome highlighted the differences between linear and circular economy, their impacts and the significance of the network.

“In a linear economy (which is the prevailing model), resources are extracted, used, and then discarded. This leads to a significant accumulation of waste, including plastics, chemicals, metals, and other materials” Chome explained in his presentation.

He stressed that unfortunately, these materials often cannot be naturally reintegrated into the Earth’s systems, resulting in long-lasting environmental impacts.

“Linear economies contribute to pollution through emissions, waste disposal, and resource extraction. These pollutants harm ecosystems, air quality, and water bodies, affecting both human health and biodiversity” he added.

OG Plastics, one of the biggest a plastic manufacturing companies in the Malawi and Southern Africa also made a presentation based on the company’ waste management experiences.

“Apart from manufacturing items using virgin plastic, OG plastics also recycles PET and all other plastic types, recycle up to 6,000 kgs of plastic waste produced within their factory and from other producers per day, said the company’s official Shah Kaushal.

“However, challenges we face include lack of a washing line equipment to be used to clean dirt plastic waste, insufficient forex in the country to procure the equipment as well as power instability” Kaushal narrated.

Managing Director of another plastics manufacturer Easy Packs, Pugalenth Kaliyaperumal disclosed that the company is now moving towards biodegradable packaging and they are currently holding discussions with the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) on the matter.

Waste Advisers also unveiled a Digital library which will facilitate and bridge the communication gap on matters regarding the circular economy and how various players are working towards it.

Meanwhile, the national circular and green economy network will facilitate collaboration and partnerships, knowledge sharing and education, incentives and regulations, certification and accountability.

After regional meetings, network members will meet at a national gathering to develop and approve the constitution, launch the network and strategise on how to sustain it.