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