Styrofoam ban takes effect January 1 as 2027 Budget confirms EPA enforcement
The 2027 Budget confirms the EPA will enforce the styrofoam ban from January 1, covering takeaway packs, cups and foam food packs.
Styrofoam products in Ghana will be banned starting January 1, 2027, after the 2027 Budget was approved by Parliament on November 12. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will be responsible for enforcing the ban, which comes after extensive stakeholder engagement and awareness campaigns across the country. The ban applies to the production, importation, distribution, sale, and use of certain polystyrene foam items, including takeaway packs, food containers, disposable cups, plates, and insulation materials.
Exemptions include foam items used in medicine, laboratories, and scientific purposes, provided they receive regulatory approval. Food vendors and shoppers are encouraged to try alternative packaging options like banana leaves, bamboo containers, and paper bags at an eco-packaging forum hosted by Onua TV. The Ghana Medical Association supports the ban due to health concerns over chemical leaching from the banned products.
The budget does not disclose the penalties for non-compliance or the financial impact of the transition for vendors.
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