Ghana to confiscate unsold polystyrene foam packaging from 1 January 2027
Ghana's Environmental Protection Authority has warned traders, manufacturers and food vendors that unsold expanded polystyrene foam products will be confiscated and destroyed once the country's nationwide ban on the material takes effect on 1 January 2027. The ban covers production, importation, distribution, sale and use of foam takeaway packs, cups and plates for commercial and domestic purposes, with an exemption for medical, scientific and laboratory products.
Why this mattersA full market ban forces foodservice packaging suppliers and converters in Ghana to switch to reusable or alternative materials within about two months.
- Ghana's EPS foam ban takes effect on 1 January 2027.
- EPA chief executive Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse announced enforcement at a campaign launch in Damongo, Savannah Region.
- Unsold Styrofoam stock will be confiscated and destroyed after the deadline.
- The ban covers production, importation, distribution, sale and use for commercial and domestic purposes.
- Products for medical, scientific, laboratory and diagnostic use are exempt, subject to regulatory control.
- The World Bank estimates Ghana generates over 3,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, with less than half collected and about 9.5 per cent recycled.
- EPA chief executive Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse confirmed the deadline is final at an awareness campaign launch in Tamale.
- Enforcement will target supply at source, blocking imports and domestic production of expanded polystyrene.
- Local assemblies and traditional authorities have been directed to enforce the ban at community level.
- Converters are expected to scale up bagasse, paper and palm-leaf alternatives qualified for hot, oily foods before the deadline.
- Ban also explicitly covers foam insulation and foam mattresses alongside food packaging
- EPA states there will be no extensions to the 1 January 2027 deadline
- Hospitality sector is being urged to switch to bagasse, paper, palm-leaf and reusable alternatives
- Ghana Tourism Federation has called for government incentives for local manufacturers to shift production
- Ghana Plastic Manufacturers' Association estimates GHS 1.493 billion (USD 29.8m) of bank-financed plant and machinery cannot be converted to other uses ahead of the foam ban
- GPMA has asked for the ban deadline to be pushed to 1 January 2030 or for affected manufacturers to be compensated
- An EPA deputy chief executive has said there will be no further extensions beyond 1 January 2027