Guinea grants six-month moratorium on plastic water sachets

The Guinean government has granted a six-month moratorium to producers of plastic sachets used for mineral and mineralized water. This temporary reprieve follows the full implementation of a ban on single-use plastics that took effect in September 2026.

President Mamadi Doumbouya approved the extension after producers reported supply shortages and price increases for potable water. The decision aims to ensure continued access to drinking water and prevent price spikes for essential goods while allowing industries time to adapt their production lines and invest in sustainable packaging alternatives.

The moratorium is strictly limited to water sachets; other single-use plastic products remain prohibited. The Union of Mineral Water Producers of Guinea (UPEMG) has committed to respecting the decision, with its president, Souleymane Fofana, urging manufacturers to deplete existing stocks and transition toward a circular economy involving waste collection and recycling.