Zimpapers Logo

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
SOME of the major fast food outlets in Bulawayo have started replacing the banned kaylite packaging in compliance with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) directive.

Last month EMA banned the use of kaylite saying the environmentally unfriendly material also causes cancer.

It later gave a three months reprieve for kaylite users to finish up their stocks only to revoke the grace period three weeks later.

Last week the agency launched a blitz on outlets using kaylite and confiscated the product.

This led to fast food outlets quickly adopting a new transparent packaging product in replacement of the kaylite.

A snap survey conducted by The Chronicle yesterday observed that major supermarkets and take away shops were no longer using kaylite.

Supermarkets such as Haddon and Sly, OK, TM Pick and Pay and fast food outlets such as Chicken Inn are no longer using the banned packaging.

An official in one of the supermarkets said they had to comply with the regulation sooner than later because failure to do so was going to affect their business.

“When such a directive is issued, it’s better to be found on the right side of the law. That’s the reason why we had to swiftly comply with the regulation. We are a big organisation and we have been in business for a very long time. We don’t want to be found wanting over such small issues,” said an official in one of the supermarkets.

In banning its use, EMA said businesses found using the banned material risk a fine of up to $5 000 or one year imprisonment.

Announcing the ban, EMA spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata said the kaylite was the major contributor of littering in the country.

He encouraged members of the public to have sit-in meals at restaurants.

@nqotshili