Ghana’s EPA announces nationwide ban on polystyrene foam products, including takeaway packs, disposable cups, from January 2027

GHANA – Ghana’s EPA has announced a nationwide ban on expanded polystyrene foam products, including takeaway packs, disposable cups, plates, bowls, and insulation materials, effective 1 January 2027.

The ban covers all EPS foam products used for commercial and domestic purposes, including packaging materials used by restaurants, food vendors, and hospitality operators, as well as polystyrene-based insulation and ceiling materials. 

The measure forms part of broader national efforts to reduce environmental degradation, improve sanitation, and encourage the adoption of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. 

The Authority clarified that the ban does not apply to EPS products used strictly for medical, scientific, research, laboratory, and diagnostic purposes, which will remain subject to strict regulatory oversight. 

The directive follows a policy announcement made on 5 June 2025 during World Environment Day celebrations.

The Problem with Polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene foam is lightweight, inexpensive, and provides excellent insulation, making it the default material for takeaway food packaging globally. 

However, EPS is rarely recycled; it breaks down into small fragments that persist in the environment for hundreds of years, and is often contaminated with food residues that prevent recycling. 

In Ghana, where waste collection and sorting infrastructure are limited, EPS foam containers make up a significant visible portion of urban litter, clogging drainage systems and contributing to flooding during rains. 

The ban signals that the environmental cost of EPS is no longer acceptable.

Transition and Enforcement

The period leading up to the enforcement date will serve as a transition phase to allow manufacturers, importers, distributors, and users to gradually shift to environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives. 

During this period, the Authority will intensify stakeholder engagement, public sensitisation campaigns, and technical consultations to guide the transition process. 

Regulatory inspections and compliance monitoring will be strengthened ahead of full enforcement. 

The EPA will work closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, port authorities, customs services, and other relevant regulatory institutions to ensure effective nationwide enforcement once the ban takes effect in 2027.

Alternative Materials

Alternatives to EPS foam include bagasse (sugarcane fibre) containers, moulded fibre clamshells, paperboard boxes with bioplastic linings, and reusable containers. 

Each alternative has trade-offs: bagasse is compostable but less grease-resistant than EPS; paperboard is recyclable but requires a moisture barrier; reusable containers shift the environmental burden to washing and transport. 

The 18-month transition period gives Ghanaian manufacturers time to secure supply chains for alternative materials and to adapt converting equipment for fibre-based substrates.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE