Plastics: Bringing the Facts to the Forefront

The recent decision by the Council of Ministers regarding the temporary use of certain non-biodegradable plastics, particularly for some food-related applications, has sparked various reactions, often interpreted as a setback. However, the reality is quite different: since 2021, Mauritius has been steadily progressing towards a more responsible plastic transition, and the announced measure fully aligns with this momentum.

The Mauritius Manufacturers Association (MMA) welcomes the adoption of the Roadmap for a Plastic Pollution-Free Mauritius, a strategy developed in collaboration with the government, the private sector including the manufacturing industry, NGOs, and experts. Today, Mauritius has an integrated framework based on data, designed to operate within the country's industrial, economic, and food realities.

For the past four years, the moratorium on certain plastics has served as an active transition period. It has allowed for the removal of many single-use plastics from the market, accelerated eco-design, trained businesses, invested in research, and significantly reduced actual waste tonnages destined for landfills. Therefore, the current extension is not a regression, but rather a necessary adjustment due to the absence, at this stage, of technically viable and economically accessible alternatives for essential food packaging such as yogurt, margarine, or vacuum-sealed meats. This is a food security imperative, not a political choice.

A First: Involving Importers

The real change in this new phase is the inclusion of all players in the value chain (the ‘Level Playing Field’), including importers who account for nearly 80% of the food consumed in Mauritius. For a long time, only local manufacturers were subject to environmental obligations. Now, with a common framework for transparency and reporting, Mauritius will have reliable data, better-identified resources, and an enhanced ability to direct plastics to the right disposal methods. This is not opposition; it is collective progress that strengthens the coherence and fairness of the transition.

Innovation: A Data-Driven Policy

The Roadmap introduces a major innovation: for the first time, Mauritius's plastic policy will be data-driven to structure the future waste recovery channels. Mandatory declarations, harmonized reporting, and national consolidation of volumes will allow precise knowledge of what is produced, imported, consumed, recyclable, or not. No sustainable transition can happen without this. Mauritius is finally addressing this structural gap.

Inspired by best international practices, particularly the European model for 2040, this strategy is based on technical sub-committees, ongoing public-private dialogue, and a framework of gradual improvement. It adapts global standards that elsewhere require decades of implementation to the scale of a small island state.

A Committed Mauritian Industry

In this dynamic, the Mauritian industry has already played its part, often behind the scenes. Since 2021, several concrete initiatives have emerged: a pilot Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funded by Sofap, Maurilait, PIM, and Green Impact; the gradual replacement of ice cream containers with cardboard at Maurilait and Innodis; the circularity of 5L bins between Maurilait, hotels, and PIM; the reduction of thickness in several categories of packaging; ongoing recovery and recycling efforts; and skill enhancement through eco-design programs and Life Cycle Assessment. The industry is not waiting; on the contrary, it is in motion.

These advancements are already yielding measurable results within several local companies, showcasing the industrial sector's capacity to act concretely and rapidly. For instance, Maurilait (Groupe Eclosia) has implemented a series of source reduction actions and packaging substitutions, resulting in an annual reduction of 110 tons of plastic. Similarly, Innodis has strengthened its eco-design and waste recovery programs, achieving a diversion of 100 tons of plastic in the 2024-2025 period.

At the same time, the circular economy is increasingly taking hold in Mauritian value chains. Plastic Industry Mauritius (PIM Ltd.) is a significant example: the company reintroduced 300 tons of recycled plastics into its production process over the past year, reducing reliance on virgin materials and promoting a more responsible production cycle.

This dynamic also extends to distribution and supply players. Mauritius Oil Refineries (Moroil Ltd.) launched a pilot project in 2022, now thriving, aimed at developing bulk solutions for B2B. In just the past year, this initiative diverted 16 tons of plastic by reducing the use of PET bottles and jugs. This optimization demonstrates that by rethinking delivery and consumption methods, it is possible to decrease certain plastic packaging while maintaining logistical efficiency and service quality.

Necessary Support for SMEs

However, the transition will affect everyone, and small and micro-enterprises must be supported. The MMA emphasizes the need for tailored assistance to avoid a fracture in the economy. It also reminds that success depends on consumer buy-in: even some of the most advanced countries achieve only about 60% correct sorting after 25 years of education. Mauritius will need to commit to this work over the long term.

A Responsible Plastic Transition

In light of these factors, one truth is clear: Mauritius has not stepped back. It is taking a new, more realistic, better-structured, and fairer step forward. The MMA reaffirms its commitment to supporting a responsible, scientific, gradual plastic transition tailored to our island reality. It calls on all stakeholders - government, industries, importers, SMEs, NGOs, and consumers - to continue this path of progress together to build a sustainable, resilient economy that respects our environment.

By Shirin Gunny, CEO of the Mauritius Manufacturers Association