1.0 Abstract :

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental problem that affects ecosystems worldwide. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, Africa has the potential to be a major contributor to the global plastic waste crisis, generating an estimated 17 million tons of plastic waste annually. The impact of plastic pollution in Africa is particularly severe, with large quantities of plastic waste ending up in rivers and oceans, leading to the death of marine life and the destruction of ecosystems. Although policies aimed at reducing plastic waste exist in many African countries, their effectiveness has been limited due to poor governance, inadequate resources, and a lack of focus on the root causes of plastic pollution. To effectively address plastic pollution, sustainable solutions such as the circular economy, innovative technology, public awareness, and international collaboration are needed.

2.0 Introduction :

Plastic pollution is an urgent and escalating environmental problem that affects ecosystems across the globe. While plastic production has increased rapidly in recent years, with an estimated 300 million tons produced each year [1], much of this plastic ends up in the ocean and other bodies of water. Plastics currently make up to 85% of marine trash, and this percentage is expected to triple by 2040 [2]. This is particularly concerning for Africa, which has a population of over 1.4 billion people in 2022 [3], and generates an estimated 17 million tons of plastic waste each year [4]. With a projected population of 2.5 billion by 2050 [4], the demand for plastics, especially single-use plastics (SUP), is likely to increase further. Unfortunately, the effects of SUP pollution are particularly severe in Africa, where enormous volumes end up in rivers and seas, killing marine life and destroying ecosystems [4].

While many African nations have regulations in place to reduce SUP waste, their efficacy has been limited. Some regulations focus on banning SUP, but enforcement has been difficult due to inadequate funding and poor governance. Furthermore, these policies do not address the underlying issues that contribute to SUP pollution, such as inadequate recycling infrastructure and deficient waste management systems. Between 1990 and 2017, 230 metric tons of plastics, including SUP, entered Africa, with the highest proportion going to Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia [5]. Primary plastic manufacture in eight African nations produced only 15 metric tons between 2009 and 2015 [5]. Much of this waste ends up in the ocean, leading to negative impacts on marine ecosystems and local communities. Inadequate waste management systems and poor public awareness exacerbate the problem, leading to the accumulation of plastic waste, particularly SUP, in landfills and oceans. It is therefore obvious that current policies alone are not enough to comprehensively address the issue of SUP pollution in Africa. This commentary aims to shed light on the impact of SUP on the marine ecosystem, highlight the current policies and strategies to reduce SUP in Africa, and explore sustainable solutions to reduce SUP pollution in Africa