Guinea seeks water alternatives before plastic sachet ban
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In Guinea, authorities are preparing to ban inexpensive plastic sachets of drinking water, a move that threatens access to potable water for many citizens.
The government granted a six-month reprieve to find solutions that balance public health with environmental concerns, as officials and businesses struggle to find affordable alternatives. Souleymane Fofana resumed production of water sachets during the moratorium, but his business will again face restrictions when the period ends.
Industry leaders are exploring biodegradable sachets and plastic recycling as potential solutions. However, biodegradable materials currently cost more than traditional plastics. Souleymane Fofana suggests removing import duties on plastic used for bottles as another way to lower costs, though he acknowledges that plastic bottles also contribute to pollution. Environmental activist Mamady Aminata Touré urges the government to prioritize developing a plastic recycling industry, emphasizing the need for state support and incentives for related businesses.
M’Bany Sidibé, president of the Union for the Defense of Consumers of Guinea, believes that expanding the national water company, Société des eaux de Guinée (SEG), is the long-term solution, but estimates that it would take five to ten years to provide water to all of Guinea. Until then, he warns that affordable sachets remain essential for preventing waterborne illnesses like dysentery and typhoid fever.
