TIMB Urges Plastic Waste Reduction in Tobacco Se...

TIMB Urges Plastic Waste Reduction in Tobacco Sector

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has called on all players in Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry to take urgent action against plastic pollution as the 2025/26 tobacco production season begins and seedbed preparations get underway.

Marking World Environment Day, which ran under the theme “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution”, TIMB urged farmers to properly manage the disposal of chemical containers and plastic waste generated during tobacco farming operations.

“Plastic pollution is a silent threat that travels from our fields into our water, our food, and our homes,” said Emmanuel Matsvaire, Acting Chief Executive Officer of TIMB. “Our push toward a sustainable tobacco sector must include proper disposal of every piece of plastic we use, especially hazardous CPA containers.”

Tobacco farming in Zimbabwe uses significant amounts of plastic each season, including chemical containers, fertiliser bags, and seedling trays. TIMB warned that improper disposal of these items poses fatal risks, particularly in rural areas. An estimated 15% of livestock deaths and many child illnesses in farming communities are linked to exposure to discarded chemical containers.

The TIMB Agricultural Labour Practices Code mandates the disposal of empty or used chemical containers in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Reusing these containers to store food, water, or animal feed is strictly prohibited.

To enforce sustainable practices, TIMB has deployed Sustainability Officers across the country’s four tobacco-growing provinces to train farmers, monitor compliance, and promote adherence to Environmental, Social and Governance standards.

One initiative showing industry leadership is the Voluntary Container Management System, introduced by Curverid Tobacco in partnership with WasteMate. The project has worked with more than 30,000 smallholder farmers, recovered nearly 100,000 chemical containers, achieved over 90% treatment efficiency, and recycled 80% of the collected plastic.

The CMS process includes triple-rinsing, safe storage, community collection points, and final recycling. While the initiative has had measurable success, TIMB noted that only 12,000 farmers are currently participating and called for broader industry involvement.

“As the seedbed phase begins, we urge all contractors and self-funded growers to implement similar container management systems,” said Matsvaire. “Every kilogram of tobacco sold must reflect not only quality but also environmental responsibility.”

As of Day 63 of the 2025 marketing season, Zimbabwe’s farmers had sold 268.5 million kilograms of tobacco—89.5% of the national 300 million kg target. TIMB stressed that sustainable practices must go hand in hand with productivity.

“This World Environment Day, let us do more than plant—let’s protect,” said Matsvaire. “Protect our land. Protect our livestock. Protect our water. The future of our industry depends on what we do with our waste today.”