Thin plastics ban dilemma continues in Malawi

The High Court has stopped the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) from enforcing the ban on the production and use of thin plastics pending determination of a judicial review case involving Qingdao Recycling Limited.

High Court Judge Allan Hans Muhome has also allowed the judicial review proceedings to proceed following an application by Qingdao Recycling Limited.

Through its lawyer, John Chisomo Kalampa, the company argued that the government cannot enforce the ban without establishing the Environmental Tribunal.

Qingdao further argued that the ban violates the economic rights of companies involved in the production and sale of thin plastics.

However, Attorney General Frank Mbeta argued that the absence of an Environmental Tribunal does not prevent MEPA from enforcing the ban.

Despite the government’s arguments, Justice Muhome granted a stay on the enforcement of the ban, allowing the judicial review proceedings to proceed.