21 Mar 2023

The Plastic Levy that was introduced in 2021 as an initiative to enhance waste management has to date generated over P40 million.

This was revealed by Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng in her presentation of the ministry’s budget proposals for the 2023/2024 financial year on Monday March 20.

Minster Kereng said guidelines for using the levy to support waste management interventions were expected to be completed by June this year.

She said the ministry had prioritised implementation of the Integrated Waste Management Policy of 2021, with special emphasis on promoting waste recovery and recycling initiatives to create business opportunities and enhance job creation.

“The ministry in collaboration with Ministries of Transport and Public Works, Health as well as Local Government and Rural Development, has developed an action plan aimed at improving the efficiency of waste management services and promoting circular economy,” she said.

Ms Kereng highlighted that there would be continuous promotion of recycling initiatives, which would include development of drop-off centres for selected waste in strategic areas.

She added that Gaborone City Council (GCC) had also developed a facility at the civic centre for aluminium cans and plastic bottles and additional centres would be developed during the 2023/24 financial year.

“Promotion of Public Private Partnerships in waste management with the private sector playing a more active role is ongoing and this has brought about efficiency in waste management,” she said.

The minister cautioned against generating hazardous waste predominantly from industries and the mining sector, saying that posed pollution challenges as the country continued on its economic development path.

“It is therefore important that Botswana develops requisite infrastructure for sound management of this waste stream,” she said, adding that a consultant was engaged to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of a Hazardous Waste Treatment Facility with the results expected in May. She said that environmental sustainability was key as social and economic sustainability were ultimately depended on a clean and healthy environment.

To that end, she said government was implementing various legislative frameworks, strategies, programmes and projects to protect ecosystems.

“The ministry continues to support sustainable development through the implementation of the Environmental Assessment Act of 2021 which calls for, amongst others, preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Environmental Management Plans for development projects with potential negative impacts on the environment and the people,” she said.

On climate change, Ms Kereng said Botswana continued to experience extreme hot temperatures, frequent droughts and unpredictable rainfall.

“As part of adaptation and mitigation measures for building resilience and cushioning the economy, the ministry is implementing various policies, programmes, strategies and projects. These include amongst others, implementation of the Climate Change Policy of 2021, Climate Change Strategy, Drought Management Strategy and other legal instruments within the energy, transport and agricultural sectors,” she added.

Meanwhile, the proposed estimates for the environment and tourism ministry for the next financial year comprise over P1.4 billion, out of which over P923.9 million would cover the recurrent budget while over P550 million would fund the development budget. Ends