Black Friday: A Setback in the Battle Against Plastic
In the following analysis, environmental consultant Sunil Dowarkasing argues that the government has reversed its stance by lifting the ban on single-use plastic for three major items: cups, bowls, and food containers, bowing to pressure from private sector lobbies. He describes November 12, 2025, the day the Cabinet enacted these regulations, as a Black Friday for the environment.
On November 12, 2025, the Minister of Environment and his Junior Minister participated in a one-day validation workshop for the National Strategic Plan, as part of the project "Developing a Roadmap for a Plastic Pollution-Free Mauritius," held at the Maritim Resort and Spa in Balaclava. This new project aims to establish a coherent national framework to combat plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments, by strengthening political, legal, and institutional mechanisms.
In just 16 days, a complete turnaround occurred: incredible but true. The government made a 180-degree shift on the issue of plastic utensils, a decision that appears once again to be dictated by pressure from certain private sector players.
On Friday, November 28, 2025, while the entire island was buzzing with the "Black Friday" spirit, the Council of Ministers delivered its own "Black Friday" to the environment by deciding, against all ecological logic, to lift the ban on three major single-use plastic items: cups, bowls, and food containers. This incomprehensible, regressive decision is severely damaging to a country already overwhelmed by plastic pollution. Even more disheartening is hearing the Junior Minister of Environment claim that there is "no setback"—even as this choice dismantles years of efforts, weakens public policies, and sends a catastrophic message to citizens and engaged actors. At a time when the whole world is trying to reduce plastic, Mauritius is taking a step back, at the expense of its public health, ecosystems, and image as a responsible nation.
Launched with great fanfare on March 28, 2022, by former minister Kavydass Ramano, the MCCI Roadmap for a Plastic Waste-Free Mauritius was supposed to mark a major turning point. Three years later, however, it remains largely unimplemented. The study, which reaffirms the commitment of the private sector and proposes a detailed plan with deadlines, costs, and implications for food security, has not led to any significant advancements. The regulatory framework has hardly evolved, recommendations remain unheeded, and the goal of a plastic-free Mauritius seems to have dissolved in administrative inertia and a lack of political will. This roadmap, ambitious on paper, once again illustrates the persistent gap between announcements and real action.
Mauritius generates about 116,000 tons of plastic waste annually, of which approximately 71,000 tons (61%) end up in landfills, while 42,000 tons (36.5%) are unaccounted for, and only 2.5% are recycled. For PET bottles, an estimated 130 million units—equivalent to 2,500 tons of plastic—are placed on the market each year. Of these, around 40% (52 million bottles) are recycled, while the remaining 60% (78 million bottles) contribute to environmental pollution.
The majority of plastic waste consists of packaging materials. The production of PET bottles is extremely resource-intensive, relying on crude oil and natural gas. Manufacturing a single-use 500 ml PET bottle generates about 82 to 100 grams of CO₂ equivalent. Including the entire life cycle—bottling, transportation, and disposal—can raise the total footprint to 200 to 300 gCO₂ per bottle.
Although marketed as safe, studies show that PET bottles can release harmful chemicals, such as antimony and phthalates, especially when exposed to heat or used. In Mauritius, with 130 million bottles consumed each year, waste management systems are already under pressure. Only 40% (52 million) are recycled, while 60% (78 million) end up in nature. PET persists for centuries, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate soils, rivers, oceans, the food chain, and inevitably reach humans.
Mauritius has long failed to take significant action against plastic pollution, with efforts only gaining momentum in 2020-2021. Ambitious announcements have not led to real change. Two major regulations on environmental protection came into effect in 2020: the Control of Single-Use Plastic Products Regulations and the Banning of Plastic Bags Regulations. About ten single-use plastic products were banned, yet PET bottles and packaging were oddly excluded due to pressure from major bottling and import companies.
Despite the revised regulations, the Department of Environment has not finalized key amendments to encourage the use of biodegradable products. The Audit Report 2025 highlighted several significant shortcomings. Year after year, the status quo persists, with no real progress made across successive governments. The lessons from Rodrigues and Rwanda show that strong political will can lead to significant results in reducing plastic dependency. Both regions have implemented strict regulations without exceptions, supported by community awareness and regular inspections. When leadership is firm and consistent, a plastic-free society becomes a new normal rather than a distant dream. The gap between commitments and actual implementation remains vast, trapping Mauritius in a cycle of unfulfilled promises and corporate pressures, underscoring the urgent need for stronger leadership, accountability, and genuine action against plastic pollution.
