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Despite this legislation, Africa remains the second-most polluted continent on … Plastic pollution – particularly in the oceans around Africa – will thank goodness be in the spotlight during a two-day event in Port Elizabeth this July. Nigeria, being the most populous country in Africa is affected by plastic pollution menace. These small bits of plastic make them sick, and leave no room in their swollen bellies for real food. In other words, the contamination of water makes it unsafe for human use. “In the coming weeks and months, we, as the plastics industry, will embark on a sustained campaign to persuade government and citizens to join us in the war on plastic pollution. An estimated 8m tons of plastic pollution enter the world’s oceans every year. Microplastics, abandoned fishing gear and other plastic pollution are among our biggest environmental threats. How Africa is Tackling Pollution (Plastic/Emissions) Download PDF Copy. As with many other pollution issues in Africa, the plastic bag problem is rooted in widespread poverty, corruption, environmental injustice, and residues of colonialism. says in 207 2 plastic consumption in South Africa was over 1.6 million tonnes. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. In South Africa there is significant under investment in the waste and recycling sector. The financial impact is also unmistakable; the World Bank estimates that the cost of air pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa was 3.8% of gross domestic … Thank you for reading Nation.Africa Show plans The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) has raised the alarm over increased dumping of plastic waste in the Indian Ocean and on beaches. Plastic Ain't so Fantastic It is now believed that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro-, meso-, or macro debris, based on size. In South Africa, insufficient monitoring of plastic bag consumption resulted in an ineffective plastic bag prevention scheme; the levy was too small, and, overtime, reductions in plastic bag use ceased (Dikgang et al., 2012). Cameroon environmentalists tackle plastic pollution in Wouri River. There are thousands of harmful environmental toxins, some It … Rwanda has been implemen ting the ban for quite a few years with significant success. In an age of plastic pollution. Plastic has become a huge problem. Found in various forms within every South African household, the global prediction is that in 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Plastic Pollution: Biodiversity for sustainable livelihoods. Report: China is a bigger air pollution contributor than all developed nations combined Get Our Free Email Newsletter Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more. The findings suggest most plastic pollution in Galapagos - a world-famous biodiversity haven - arrives on ocean currents. While countries grow, their plastic consumption also tends to grow and the anticipated plastic pollution trend in the future is threatening the globe. To mitigate the pollution, governments have imposed plastic bans. Creating Plastics Recycling Networks. The overwhelming level of plastic pollution across the globe and its negative impacts on human health and marine creatures culminated in the focus … Pollution: Black River Was Choking On Plastic Waste. 1) Say no to plastic straws. “As noted in the document, the South African government is fully aware of the country’s contribution to ocean plastic pollution – we are the world’s eleventh largest contributor. Every year, 8 million tons of plastic pollution escapes into the world’s oceans, and the United States alone burns or buries 32 million tons of plastic in landfills. The recent torrent of plastic waste that spilled into the port of Durban in South Africa following heavy rains prompts us to question the strategies implemented by African governments to combat plastic pollution. Africa is blessed with natural and mineral resources, but exploitation of these resources has led to extreme pollution of the environment. Plastic waste is also believed to cost up to $33,000 per ton in reduced environmental value, the study found. 6 Plastic pollution is fast becoming a ubiquitous threat to Africa’s environment, its wildlife, and its people. ‘Plastic pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges facing South Africa today,’ said Dr. Andrew Venter, CEO of the Wildtrust. Rapid population growth and poor waste management practice are among the main drivers of plastic pollution in modern times, thus making Africa a hotspot for plastic pollution both now and in the future. PETCO in South Africa has driven the in-country recycling of PET plastic bottles up from 14% in 2005 to over 65% of beverage PET bottles in 2018. The literature on marine debris leaves no doubt that plastics make-up most of the marine litter worldwide ().Though the methods were not assessed to ensure that the results were comparable, Table 1 clearly indicates the predominance of plastics amongst the marine litter, and its proportion consistently varies between 60% and 80% of the total marine debris (Gregory and Ryan, 1997). It’s hurting sea animals and making them sick After ingesting microplastics, seals, and other animals, may suffer for months or years before they die. ... Cameroon produces 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year, the highest in Central Africa… It impacts the environment and our health and wellbeing. Littering and leakages must end. And with the increased rate of water pollution in Africa, so is the availability of clean water becoming limited. The use of chemical additives in plastics also poses a potential threat to human health. The scourge of plastic pollution has far-reaching environmental and animal and human health consequences all over the world, and countries in Africa are no exception. Cameroon produces six million tonnes of waste every year, including 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste. This study is a review of plastic pollution reports from the African aquatic environment with reg … Five African countries (i.e. In addition, some have also introduced the plastic bag levy. Lightweight litter, such as chip packets and sweet wrappers, are often whipped up by the wind and channelled down storm water drains and urban canals, making their way into streams and rivers and, ultimately, the sea. In Zanzibar islands, plastic bags are banned and any breach attracts a fine of up to 100,000 TZS (US $44) or six months in jail. The Government of Ghana formally joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) today, becoming the first African nation to combine forces with this ambitious new initiative dedicated to eradicating plastic waste and pollution worldwide.. Ghana is the second country to partner with GPAP, a public-private platform dedicated to fostering action to combat the plastic pollution crisis. In Africa, although major steps have been taken to emphasize recyclability, reduction and elimination of plastic waste, most companies are still ducking their responsibility to tackle plastic pollution. The river mouth was filled by mainly single-use plastics, a situation worsened by the recent heavy rain. Banning straws and plastic bags will do nothing to solve the problem. While the work will focus on Tanzania and Malawi, the findings will be relevant to many other countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems facing the world today. The organisation estimated that South Africans, on … Plastic also sinks to the ocean floor, stays suspended in the water column, or gets deposited out of the ocean in remote places, making clean-up difficult. Low-cost, durable and easy to assemble, the plastic bricks will be used to build classrooms that are urgently needed in this West African country. According to Plastic Oceans: Packaging accounts for just over 40% of total plastic usage. These approaches, whilst well-intentioned, will be quickly absorbed by the growth of global plastics production. Waves and sunlight break much of it down into smaller particles called … Read more on allafrica.com. Improper waste management is responsible for 60 per cent of malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia cases in children – diseases that are among the leading causes of death for children in Côte d'Ivoire. The campaign also encourages governments to adopt the initiative and come up with regulations to curb plastic pollution. Way Forward. Deaths in Africa due to outdoor air pollution have increased by nearly 60% in the last two decades. Monitoring plastic concentrations in estuaries is vital in assessing the magnitude of terrestrial inputs to oceanic environments. Various other countries, including Cameroon, Mauritania, Nigeria, Eritrea, Botswana, and Ethiopia, are enacting similar campaigns to reduce plastic waste, according to UNEP. Plastics are too valuable to be wasted. Plastic waste pollution exacerbates existing hygiene and sanitation challenges. According to Kenya National Guidance for plastic pollution hotspotting and shaping action report, Kenya generates 503,000 tonnes of plastic waste and only 7% is recycled. Water pollution involves the introduction of harmful, poisonous chemicals and other substances into waters (both ground and surface) making them undrinkable. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent. This puts South Africa ahead of developed markets, such as the EU (2016: 60%) and US (2016: 28.4%) when it … Countries in Africa are increasingly adopting policies to reduce single-use plastic (SUP) pollution, yet there has been limited analysis of policies adopted by African countries. The Black River mouth recently began overflowing with plastic waste and this prompted a group of civic-minded people to remove volumes of it over the weekend. Microplastics; Oceans; Plastic; Africa; Pollution In 2010 South Africa ranked 11 th on the list of the worst offenders regarding plastic pollution in the ocean [2]. Plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental problems that we face today. Plastic Oceans International is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, founded and existing under the laws of California (Federal Tax ID #81-3778043). in News. environmental and socio-economic impacts of plastic pollution in the South African context, with a focus on plastic packaging as a major contributor. Plastic pollution in the ocean is almost exclusively due to the actions of Asia and Africa, not the United States. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro-, meso-, or macro debris, based on size. There are thousands of harmful environmental toxins, some The first plastic bricks factory of its kind in Africa has been built in 2019 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. New WWF Plastics Facts & Futures Report highlights the need for a systemic approach to tackle plastic pollution in South Africa. The reason is its large population in the urban and commercial cities, especially in … This study is a review of plastic pollution reports from the African aquatic environment with regard to causes, current status, toxicological implications and implications for ecosystem services. This Plastics Fund under SMEP aims to improve pollution levels, human health, and the environment through achieving a reduction in plastic pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. That’s it for now. Plastic is an amazing man-made material used to make all kinds of important things.Bike helmets, car airbags and many medical supplies made with plastic save lives, and plastic water bottles can bring clean drinking water to people who don’t have it.. Beating plastic pollution. In 2018, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) released some statistics about South Africa’s plastic habits. The fight against plastic pollution is being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the use of disposable masks, gloves and other protective equipment soars, but UN agencies and partners insist that, if effective measures are put into place, the amount of plastics discarded every year can be significantly cut, or even eliminated. As the tide against global plastic pollution turns, it’s Africa that’s leading the charge and riding the crest of the wave. Coronavirus lockdowns around the globe have led to a dramatic 5% drop in greenhouse gas emissions, according to UNCTAD estimates, but not all measures to contain the pandemic have had a positive impact on the environment. As a result of the partnership, South Africa has seen an increase in recycling from single digits in 2000 to 65% in 2017. Single-use plastics waste regularly clog sewers, cause flooding and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The national elections in 2019 provided Greenpeace Africa with an opportunity to engage politicians on the issue of plastic pollution. How Plastic Pollution is Creating a Crisis. Plastic bags stuck in propellers and fishing nets tangled in plastic pollution wastes valuable time and costs money to fix. They will also explore the mental health and wellbeing of those living in areas heavily impacted by plastic pollution. Indeed, plastic pollution is a serious threat to the environment, biodiversity, and has harmful consequences on public health. Plastic problem in Africa Prof. Nabil H H Bashir Department of pesticides and Toxicology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani P O Box 20, Sudan Detoxify or Die “Air pollution and water pollution are only a small part of the toxicity story. Plastic problem in Africa Prof. Nabil H H Bashir Department of pesticides and Toxicology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani P O Box 20, Sudan Detoxify or Die “Air pollution and water pollution are only a small part of the toxicity story. Just this week, Durban was forced to temporarily close its beaches as piles of pollution and debris washed up on shore, and in the Western Cape seals have been seen caught […] Animals may gobble up straws they find in their natural habitat, mistaking them for food. by Ph 9 months ago 1.2k Views. The rest is thrown into dustbins and sent to landfill sites. Measures To Reduce Plastic Waste Mismanagement . 26 March 2021. Averda global; Covid-19 services; Get a free quote; #BantheButt: Stomping Out Plastic Pollution in Africa Back to News Discarded cigarette butts are seemingly everywhere. Traffic emissions, transported dust and open burning are all significant contributors to air pollution in Africa. Kenya's fight against plastic pollution isn't just a homegrown issue. Greenpeace Africa Plastic Campaigner Amos Wemanya explains why recycling is a “false solution” to Africa’s plastic pollution crisis. Plastics pollution prevention in Africa is tightly coupled to the … Marine plastic pollution has documented impacts on marine organisms and ecosystem services. But as they say, you can’t manage what you can’t measure. Plastic was also found inside more than half of the marine invertebrates studied (such as barnacles and urchins, e.g. “Since plastic pollution is a global challenge that cannot be solved by one individual country or company, we support the business call to the member states of the United Nations to commence negotiations on a joint treaty on plastic pollution. Plastic pollution in Durban after the floods in KZN, 11 March 2019 / Supplied by Durban Green Corridor, photo: Sifiso Mngoma. The study, “Breaking the Plastic Wave: A Comprehensive Assessment of Pathways Towards Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollution”, which was endorsed by Inger Andersen, head of the UN environment agency UNEP, forecasts that, if no action is taken, the amount of plastics dumped into the ocean will triple by 2040, from 11 to 29 million tonnes per year. In nature, … Plastic pollution – particularly in the oceans around Africa – will thank goodness be in the spotlight during a two-day event in Port Elizabeth this July. The team was studying plastic pollution in the ocean and found that out of the 66,077 pieces of plastic collected in samples, 95% of it was millimeters in size. As UNEA5 kicks off, ground-breaking Plastic Pollution Hotspotting Results Published for Seven Countries in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean Tue, 23 Feb 2021 During this week’s United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA5), there is a focus on marine plastic pollution which continues the discussions that began at UNEA 1 in 2014. Microplastics; Oceans; Plastic; Africa; Pollution Plastic trash impacts African communities on multiple levels: when discarded plastic bags fill with rainwater, they attract malaria-carrying mosquitoes. MANGOCHI, MALAWI - Plastic bags continue to pollute Lake Malawi, despite a government ban on their use. The author suggests pragmatic measures Africa could implement to counter the plastic tsunami and highlights those countries leading the way. In South Africa, only 16% of plastic is recycled. Plastic Pollution Of Lake Victoria In Uganda By Jenipher Asiimwe. Modern life would be impossible without plastic – but we have long since lost control over our invention. Plastic Pollution in Africa Across Africa, unmanaged waste and pollution are becoming serious problems. Plastic bags now cost 0.25 Turkish liras (0.036 U.S. dollars). Air quality and pollution in Africa … New WWF Plastics Facts & Futures Report highlights the need for a systemic approach to tackle plastic pollution in South Africa. To address the plastic pollution menace in Kenya, the former Cabinet Secretary Environment Professor Judi Wakhungu gazetted the ban the use, manufacture, importation, and sale of single use plastics in Kenya. The World Health Organization (WHO) today calls for a further assessment of microplastics in the environment and their potential impacts on human health, following the release of an analysis of current research related to microplastics in drinking-water. Tunisia. We support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s quest to clean up South Africa, but it can only happen if there is a recycling revolution in this country,” he exclaims. Pollution from settlements along just 20 rivers contributes as much as 67% of this total - these rivers are mostly in Asia, but also feature river systems in Africa and South America. Each month, approximately five hundred shipping containers of trash are dumped in Africa, having devastating effects on wildlife and communities. Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. The Organization also calls for a reduction in plastic pollution to benefit the environment and reduce human exposure.“We urgently … pictured above), as well as littering the seabed. To tackle plastic pollution, 170 countries have agreed to "significantly reduce the use of throwaway plastics" by 2030, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. EPR will hold both the plastic packaging industry and government to account and ensure transparency in the system. ... Our objective is to fight plastic pollution … African countries including Cameroon, Mauritania, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda Rwanda, Tanzania, Morocco, South Africa have enacted the ban, use, manufacture and importation of single-use plastic bags. AFRICA: AFD and FGEF finance the fight against plastic pollution in the oceans By Inès Magoum - Published on July 14 2021 / Modified on July 14 2021 The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) has just obtained 6.7 million euros in funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Global Environment Facility (FGEF). While desirable, recycling of plastics is currently constrained by material and chemical complexity, limitations in available technologies, and market demands. This paper reviews SUP reduction policies, specifically in West Africa. Young leaders around the world to join the fight against plastic pollution. The sad truth is that more than 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources. According to WWF, over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources [3]. These Sihanouk images follow a recent video by British diver Rich Horner which went viral after he documented swimming through a blizzard of plastic pollution in … In South Africa, only 16% of plastic is recycled. Not just unsightly and unhygienic, these cigarette remnants harm vegetation and negatively impacts … More than 400 young Africans were today honoured for their leadership in addressing plastic pollution in their communities as part of the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge. How Is Plastic Pollution Affecting South Africa’s Shores? Applying the filters below will filter all articles, data, insights and projects by the topic area you select. Pla … In South Africa there is significant under investment in the waste and recycling sector. In Africa, which leads the world in plastics bans, more than three dozen laws now restrict the use of plastics. As of January 1, 2019, the country banned single-use plastic bags and transitioned to reusable and paper bags in an effort to reduce plastic pollution. African countries are facing increasing plastic consumption, and because of constraints in waste management, increasing plastic pollution. It is also the biggest carrier of plastic pollution to the ocean. The state of plastic pollution in parts of Africa is dramatic, as a result of weak policies and indiscriminate dumping of solid waste (Bundhoo 2018). Plastic pollution is ubiquitous throughout the marine environment, yet estimates of the global abundance and weight of floating plastics have lacked data, particularly from the Southern Hemisphere and remote regions. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. Plastic waste management has become a topical issue, especially the contamination of marine and fresh water environments. There are also plastic products beyond packaging that need to be given attention in Africa and South Africa and these are identified in the report. In fact, 46% of all African countries have plastic bans, making Africa the continent with the highest percentage of national plastic bans in the world. Annually approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. We have all contributed to this problem – mostly unknowingly – and we must work to reduce and ultimately to End Plastic Pollution. Plastics SA agrees that one solution to plastic waste is to develop more environmentally-sound plastic products. Population growth and urbanization due to developments have also contributed immensely to the current pollution in Africa. Plastic pollution: A landfill in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, gives an idea of the mess in Africa The World Environment Day (WED) has since its inception remained the UN’s flagship campaign for raising awareness on critically-important environmental challenges – from air pollution and climate change to environmental degradation. Statistics show that throwaway junk in the form of plastic bags and bottles has risen by 620% since the year 1975. This can increase the risk of vector-borne diseases — including malaria and lymphatic filariasis — in some poorer countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. “We are a big contributor to plastic pollution. Nearly every piece of plastic begins as a fossil fuel and greenhouse gases are emitted at nearly every stage of the plastic lifecycle. 10. Most of our current approaches to tackling the problem of global plastic pollution focus on very small-impact solutions (e.g plastic straw bans). In 2010 South Africa ranked 11 th on the list of the worst offenders regarding plastic pollution in the ocean [2]. According to WWF, over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources [3]. In South Africa, only 16% of plastic is recycled. Recycling of plastic waste might gain more momentum: On 26 March 2019, a group of international consumer goods companies operating across Africa and responsible for a large share of plastic pollution launched the ‘African Plastics Recycling Alliance’ at the seventh edition of the Africa CEO Forum . Data on plastics ≤ 5 mm in estuaries are scant. Plastic pollution: A landfill in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, gives an idea of the mess in Africa The World Environment Day (WED) has since its inception remained the UN’s flagship campaign for raising awareness on critically-important environmental challenges – from air pollution and climate change to environmental degradation. EPR will hold both the plastic packaging industry and government to account and ensure transparency in the system. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa) are listed among the top 20 countries estimated to contribute the most to marine plastic pollution (Jambeck et al 2015). Abstract. Through the MARPLASTICCs project, IUCN is working with South Africa, one of the world’s top 20 contributors of marine plastic pollution, to close the plastic tap. To tackle plastic pollution, 170 countries have agreed to "significantly reduce the use of throwaway plastics" by 2030, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. If we can stop post-consumer waste from entering the environment, then this will minimise pollution. Plastic is the most common type of debris floating in the world's oceans. Plastic pollution spread across countries, creating a regional problem with high costs for economically important sectors such as tourism and fishing. Filter Your Site Experience by Topic. … As plastic remains in the environment for hundreds of years, the trillions of plastic pieces accumulating in the ocean form part of a global pollution issue that affects all coastal countries . Plastic resin pellet pollution is a type of marine debris originating from plastic particles utilized in manufacturing large-scale plastics. Egypt. It is not impossible to eliminate plastic- though it will require clever engineering and applied science, and technology. Nearly 513 million tonnes of plastics wind up in the oceans every year; and the major contributors from Africa are Egypt (0.97 tonnes), Nigeria (0.85 tonnes), and South Africa (0.63 tonnes), ranking 7 th, 9 th and 11 th on the list of 20 major polluters. These pre-production plastic pellets are created separately from the user plastics they are melted down to form, and pellet loss is incurred during both the manufacturing and transport stages. Plastic is the most common type of debris floating in the world's oceans. At a high-level event, political leaders, senior UN officials and Grammy-nominated Ghanaian musician Rocky Dawuni lauded the leadership shown by young people in global efforts to fight plastic pollution. Krishen, who is completing her thesis on plastic pollution at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Air Sensors: Air sensors are creating a cleaner way of life in Kenya. Recently, however, China has made efforts to curb waste. Activists in the Ivory Coast have organized beach clean-ups to tackle ocean pollution, and campaigners in Egypt are trying to rid the Nile River of plastic. According to WWF, over 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources [3]. The second solution lies in improving waste collection services and recycling infrastructure in South Africa. World Environment Day, celebrated on 5 June, heightened the urgency to rid Africa of plastics.