Voices of courage: Malawi and the thin plastics ban

The Malawi Creation Care Network (MCCN)

In Malawi, young people have brought energy and innovation to a national movement which has resulted in a crucial ban on thin plastics.

The Malawi Creation Care Network (MCCN), a Tearfund-supported movement, started the fight against thin plastics in 2019. Their involvement wasn't just about securing vital policy changes; it was born from a profound theological conviction that caring for creation is a divine mandate. They saw plastic pollution as both an environmental catastrophe and a spiritual crisis, a direct assault on God's creation. For them, inaction meant more degradation, more harm, and a betrayal of their responsibility.

For a movement that had begun the year before with five people, MCCN's approach was comprehensive and novel in Malawi's environmental movement landscape. They didn't just talk; they mobilised. They orchestrated nationwide marches and protests, presenting a unified commitment to environmental justice. They were deeply rooted in church networks, creating a tide of public support.

And they didn’t do this alone. They also built strategic coalitions. They brought together churches, NGOs, academia, and importantly, youth groups. Their genius lay particularly in engaging young people – students from universities, colleges, high schools and primary schools who brought energy, innovation and long-term commitment. This wasn't just about a policy win; it was nurturing future environmental champions.

Taking on the judicial system

Recognising that public pressure needed legal backing, MCCN made a bold decision: to engage Malawi's judicial system directly. This required significant resources and expertise which they did not have at that time.

A key moment came in 2019 through a partnership with Tearfund. We were able to provide technical support to the movement, building their expertise on movement building and on advocacy in general. We helped them explore strategies to keep the issue in the public's eye using mainstream media and social media platforms, as well as mobilising, organising and lobbying. The MCCN also joined coalitions of similar minded organisations, which provided crucial financial support to recruit qualified legal counsel. This legal strategy was brilliant because it aimed to create enforceable legal frameworks that could withstand political shifts and resist future reversals.

Later in 2019, the Malawi High Court delivered a landmark ruling banning thin plastics in the country. This was more than a legal win; it validated MCCN's faith-based approach, proving that moral conviction combined with strategic action could move mountains. However, powerful vested interests (ie the plastic-producing companies) immediately challenged the ban, taking the case to higher courts, and the legal battle that followed tested MCCN's resolve, requiring them to maintain public pressure while navigating complex appeals.

The ultimate vindication: a thin plastics ban!

The ultimate vindication arrived when Malawi's Supreme Court upheld the ban at the beginning of this year (2025). This victory was incredibly significant, allowing the government to finally implement the ban. It showed that environmental protection could withstand rigorous legal scrutiny.

Not only does this success story show that strategic advocacy and legal action can drive real change at a national level, but it also demonstrates the power of young people and churches working together!

Take action

The plastics crisis is huge, but this story reminds us that the power of the church is even greater! Find out how you and your church can play your part in tackling the plastics crisis here.