Ouagadougou: The Minister of Environment, Water and Sanitation, Roger Baro, has taken proactive steps to raise awareness about the importance of reusable and sustainable packaging. During a sanitation operation conducted in the Silmiyiri neighborhood of Ouagadougou’s 16th district, Minister Baro engaged with food store and pharmacy owners, emphasizing the need to transition away from plastic packaging and bags.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Baro highlighted the financial burden that plastic bags impose on food stores, suggesting that these funds could be better utilized by investing in reusable bags. He proposed that stores offer these bags to consumers at a reasonable cost, enabling multiple uses and significantly reducing plastic waste in the environment.
Minister Baro expressed satisfaction with the positive reception from food managers towards the awareness campaigns. Prior to these initiatives, he launched the Silmiyiri Market Clean-Up Day, joining local residents in a collective effort to clear waste around the market area. Equipped with shovels, brooms, and wheelbarrows, the Minister and his team demonstrated their commitment to improving sanitation.
This initiative aligns with the Head of State’s call for order and discipline in sanitation efforts. Minister Baro urged the community to maintain cleanliness by having garbage bins readily available at home, in markets, and offices. He also encouraged individuals to subscribe to waste collection services and utilize communal pits for wastewater disposal. Proper sanitation facilities, including toilets, were emphasized as essential for every household and office.
The awareness and sanitation activities are part of the National Days of Patriotic Commitment and Citizen Participation, marking its second edition as decreed by the Burkinabe government. The recently enacted Law 045, effective from January 9, 2025, mandates a total ban on plastic packaging and bags, with a six-month compliance period for consumers to avoid sanctions. This law applies to all forms of plastic packaging and bags, irrespective of their biodegradability or intended use.
