Addressing Africa’s growing plastic waste crisis

Addressing Africa’s growing plastic waste crisisAfrica’s growing plastic pollution problem requires an urgent and comprehensive systems response by governments, businesses, sustainability experts and civil society if countries are to avoid drowning in a sea of plastic waste, while also unlocking the economic benefits of proper waste management.This is the goal of the pan-African ‘Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa’ conference, which is set to bring together top decision-makers across the plastics value chain as well as the public and private sectors to formulate concrete action plans for Africa’s 54 continental and island states.Hosted by the Sustainable Seas Trust’s African Marine Waste Network in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, the conference will take place from 23 to 27 May and delegates will have the opportunity to contribute to a clear decision-making framework for the management of plastic.A guide for the development of national and regional action plans is intended for publication by October.This pan-African conference comes in the wake of the United Nations Environmental Assembly’s resolution to develop a legally binding global treaty on plastic waste by 2024.Drowning in plastic“Every 60 seconds, an estimated 20 tonnes of plastic enter the world’s oceans, and – if we continue our current trajectory – this figure is predicted to rise to 56 tonnes per minute in the next 18 years. In fact, with Africa seeing increased consumption due to economic and population growth, some experts are concerned that for Africa, these projections may be underestimated by as much as 12%,” Dr Tony Ribbink, founding trustee and current CEO of Sustainable Seas Trust, and director of its African Marine Waste Network programme, said.He said the draft decision-making framework also recognises that all African countries are not the same and that, for example, investing in recycling plants may not make economic sense for some island states or smaller, landlocked countries.“The developing guidebook spells out the alternatives and actions that need to be taken at every step of the value chain.”According to him, delegates will have the opportunity to examine specific chapters of the draft guidebook in detail, and contribute facts and proof-of-concept case studies from their region or country, as well as make corrections.The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research principal scientist, and one of the conference’s keynote speakers, Professor Linda Godfrey agreed that no single-solution strategy would solve the problem.She described Africa’s current approach as dire, and said continental and island states could not continue with their business-as-usual outlook towards development and waste management challenges.Cost of inaction“With most landfills in Africa simply uncontrolled or controlled dumpsites, with an average waste collection rate of only 55% and an estimated recycling rate of only 4%, significant quantities of waste are being burnt or are leaking into our environment. This has serious economic, social and environmental impacts. The cost of inaction for Africa will be significant.”According to her, current waste management systems cannot cope with the types and tonnages of waste currently being generated.“We have poor waste collection and disposal, and, increasingly, uncontrolled dumping and open burning of waste.”In addition, representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme will be in attendance to promote the global commitment, which has united more than 500 organisations behind a common vision of building a circular economy for plastic.

Addressing Africa’s growing plastic waste crisis

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Addressing Africa’s growing plastic waste crisis

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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