Ghana bans styrofoam takeaway packaging nationwide from 2027
Key takeaways
- Ghana will ban the production, importation, sale, distribution, and use of styrofoam takeaway packaging nationwide from January 1, 2027.
- The country’s EPA says the move aims to reduce plastic pollution, improve sanitation, and protect public health.
- Ghana joins a wider African push against single-use plastics, following Ethiopia’s plastic bag ban and Egypt’s expanded plastic waste reduction initiatives.
Ghana is set to implement a nationwide ban on styrofoam products effective January 1, 2027, eliminating takeaway packs, disposable cups, and other polystyrene (PS) foam packaging products.
The country’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) states that the ban will apply to the production, importation, distribution, sale, and use of styrofoam products, commonly referred to in Ghana as “takeaway packs.”
“This policy directive forms part of national efforts to protect public health, improve environmental sanitation, reduce plastic pollution, promote sustainable development, and ensure compliance with established environmental standards,” says Ghana’s EPA.
“In preparation for the implementation of this directive, EPA requires all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and users of PS foam products to commence transition to safer, reusable, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable alternatives.”
Groundwork for enforcement
The ban will be applied to all forms of expanded PS foam products, including food packaging containers used by restaurants, chop bars, and food vendors, as well as disposable cups and plates.
EPA notes that the prohibition will exclude EPS products intended for medical, scientific, laboratory, and diagnostic purposes.
During the transition period, EPA aims to support nationwide stakeholder engagement, public education, and technical consultations. The authority is set to enhance compliance monitoring, regulatory inspections, and enforcement preparedness.
EPA says that it will also join forces with relevant institutions, including Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, port authorities, customs officials, and industry regulators to “ensure effective nationwide enforcement of the ban upon commencement.”
Other African countries are also increasing efforts to phase out single-use plastics to tackle environmental pollution. Earlier this year, Ethiopia banned the use of single-use plastic bags across the country.
Recently, Egypt extended its project to reduce plastic waste across industries, particularly in the production of single-use packaging materials, pushing its completion to 2027.
