November News Highlights

2024 has been a truly exciting year for SST.

This is the first year of our ambitious ‘Zero Waste to the Seas of Africa’ strategy and we are firing on all cylinders to achieve our vision of a future where the people of Africa and her seas flourish together.

Several big milestones have been hit along the way:

A waste profile has been completed for each of the 54 African continental and island states and priority South African cities. The basis of all the work SST wants to undertake in terms of facilitating a blue economy for Africa rests on understanding the status of waste management in each African country and what the biggest challenges to sustainable waste management are.

So, the first step of our process has been to develop a waste profile for each of the 54 states in Africa as well as the target cities we are expanding to in South Africa. In South Africa, detailed city waste profiles have been completed for PE, Durban and Cape Town.

(For those interested in the nitty gritty – a waste profile includes city population stats; waste production per capita; waste management activities, available collection infrastructure and tonnages; recycling activities and tonnages; a review of local and national waste management legislation; imports and exports of plastics and waste; and a SWOT analysis unpacking the challenges and opportunities for supporting sustainable waste management within that country or city.)

A stakeholder engagement strategy has been developed for each of the 54 African continental and island states and priority South African cities.

We have developed a detailed stakeholder list for each African state and South African city we are working in, and mapped out which stakeholders we must approach and engage to ensure sustainable waste management activities. These stakeholders range from waste pickers; local government authorities; schools; formal recycling players; waste logistics companies; local NGO and CSO organisations; facilitation agencies; and packaging associations.

SST’s intention is to appropriately support and facilitate efforts already in place at grassroots level to accelerate sustainable waste management practices.

A detailed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework has been developed against SST’s Theory of Change.

We want to know whether the work we are supporting and rolling-out is having an impact and aligning with our theory of change, or whether we need to change tactics. Ultimately, we want to know that our beneficiaries are meaningfully benefitting from the work we do.

Numerous resources have been published this year to support Africa’s transition to the blue economy across the plastics value chain.

1. The African Resource Book Series: A Guide to Plastics?is the ultimate ‘A to Z’ of plastics, specifically within the African context – from their properties and applications, the sources, pathways, and drivers of plastic pollution, to the policies and legislation that already exist in Africa to manage the impacts of poor management decisions pertaining to plastics and waste.?
2. Plastic-Free Seas: An action-focused guide for plastic management in Africa?is a practical guide to support Africa as a continent, its nations and cities in drawing up the necessary sustainable waste management plans, with a focus on plastic. This guide provides a clear framework outlining key actions along the value chain at regional, national, and local levels and includes downloadable, editable action plan templates that authorities can adapt to their contexts.
3. Addressing ALDFG in Africa: A Best Practice Guide?is a collaborative, Africa-focused guide to implementing global best practices for the prevention, mitigation and remediation of ALDFG (ghost gear) in Africa.
4. LitterLogga?is a litter monitoring mobile app aimed at citizen scientists and researchers to record and keep track of the litter collected during clean-ups. The app aligns with methods to capture litter data in our?African Litter Monitoring Manual and an international database of litter from multiple African countries.
5. The?Munch schools’ education programme, which provides inclusive quality learning experiences that provides accurate knowledge, training and resources about litter and waste management, has been further developed into a train-the-trainer programme, which will enable the programme to be rolled out into Africa. These will be made available via SST’s?African Waste Academy?e-learning platform soon.

Looking Ahead

2024 has been a truly incredible year, and we have a lot to celebrate – an ambitious project and inspiring vision, delivery of several key milestones, meaningful partnerships and friendships across Africa, and passionate new teammates that have come onboard.

While we know we still have a long way to go, we close this year off with grateful anticipation for 2025, because we know these resources and publications will fundamentally enable Africa to respond appropriately to the incipient UN Global Plastics Treaty, and we remain optimistic and excited to share updates with you in the new year.

Yours in pursuit of a sustainable and blue future for all,

Janine Osborne | CEO

Container Spills Pollute SA Coastlines

Between July and September 2024, severe storms off South Africa’s coast caused nearly 90 shipping containers to be lost at sea. This resulted in hazardous debris, including pharmaceutical bottles, being washed up on Eastern Cape beaches. The incident has raised environmental and health concerns, with authorities such as the?South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)?investigating the origins of the debris and coordinating clean-up efforts to protect wildlife and communities.?

Shipping container spills have frequently impacted South Africa’s coast, with major incidents recorded in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024, all of which have caused substantial harm to marine ecosystems and coastal areas.

SST and other local organisations have mobilised to assist with clean-up operations, collecting waste, and coordinating public involvement. Communities are encouraged to help by participating in coastal clean-ups and reporting hazardous waste. The goal is to advocate for stricter regulations to prevent further damage to South Africa’s coastline.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sustainability in Fashion

Synthetic materials like polyester have become a fast-fashion staple, contributing to environmental issues through high production, waste and emissions. Fast fashion’s rapid, low-cost production model fuels high disposal rates, with textiles accounting for 10% of global emissions.?

A shift toward a circular fashion economy, which focuses on reducing waste and pollution by keeping clothing and materials in use for as long as possible, offers hope: facilities such as?Propet?in Cape Town recycle used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into polyester staple fibres for the fashion, automotive and building industries, reducing the need for virgin materials.?

To support a circular fashion economy, you can:

• Choose durable clothing over fast-fashion trends.

• Buy less to cut down on potential waste.

• Use recycling centres or donation programmes to extend the life of old clothes.

• Recycle PET bottles and other plastic waste that can be used to create recycled fibres.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Expanding the ALDFG Database Across Africa

Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a major environmental and economic threat to Africa’s oceans and coastal communities. This gear is often plastic-based and includes nets, lines, traps, buoys, floats, lures, and other materials that damage ecosystems, entangle marine life, and contribute to ghost fishing, where lost gear continues to trap animals. ALDFG also releases pollutants and micro-plastics into the ocean, affecting aquatic life and human health, and incurring economic losses through damaged gear and property, reduced tourism, and increased clean-up costs.

Africa has an extensive fishing fleet that supports millions through artisanal fishing, however, it remains largely unregulated and makes it difficult to track and manage the effects of ALDFG. As a starting solution, we’ve created?Addressing ALDFG in Africa: A Best Practice Guide. This resource outlines data collection, reporting methods, and sustainable fishing gear options, such as biodegradable materials. Developed collaboratively with local and international stakeholders, the guide is a foundational resource for African fisheries to implement best practices and prevent marine debris.?

SST is also building an ALDFG database for South Africa to understand the scale and impacts of this issue and we rely heavily on volunteers to report sightings of abandoned gear.?

You can share relevant information about ALDFG with us by contacting?[email protected]. Submissions from all coastal African countries are welcome.

CLICK HERE to read more.

The Psychology of Recycling: Understanding Human Behaviour for a Sustainable Future

To promote recycling in Africa, it’s necessary to understand the psychological drivers of human behaviour, including social influence, economic motivations, and education. SST has identified key psychological factors that shape recycling habits and used this insight to design initiatives to promote sustainable practices:

• Social norms play a critical role in recycling behaviour; community-led efforts make recycling more visible and boost participation. SST’s?Operation Clean Spot, which has collected more than 46,000 kg of trash since it launched in 2021, encourages businesses, schools, and communities to embrace recycling as a shared responsibility. This has helped reduce marine pollution and supports a sustainable Blue Economy.

• Financial incentives, such as deposit-return schemes, can also drive recycling by rewarding consumers. These types of initiatives have proven effective in other regions but need to be tested in Africa’s context to assess their impact.?

• Education programmes that address psychological barriers can increase awareness and help align values with action. SST’s?Munch-on-the-Move?initiative educates learners on waste sorting with interactive activities that foster positive behavioural shifts. We also offer online resources through our e-learning platform, the?African Waste Academy, and downloadable guides such as the?Plastic-Free Seas: An Action-Focused Guide for Plastic Management in Africa?guidebook.

At SST, we believe a sustainable future depends on fostering a collective recycling culture that leverages social, economic, and educational strategies to create long-term environmental benefits across Africa. We encourage you to join us on this journey by making use of our resources, available on our website at?sst.org.za.

CLICK HERE to read more.

SST Presents at 7th International Marine Conservation Congress

SST recently presented at the?7th?International Marine Conservation Congress?in Cape Town from 13 – 18 October. This marked the first time the congress, which brought together stakeholders from more than 70 countries world-wide, was held in Africa.?

Researchers, policymakers, regulators, fishers, educators and students came together to share their research, tools and lessons learned to help us further understand marine science and policy to conserve our oceans.

During the congress, SST presented in Marine Pollution session, which covered presentation topics from illegal oil activities and equipping the youth, to spear head marine conservation to sound pollution and microplastics. Some of the work is published here with more research in preparation for publication.

SST remains committed to an intentionally collaborative approach that fosters partnerships to unlock meaningful, systems-wide solutions for a sustainable future for Africa’s seas and her people.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Embrace Recycling These Holidays!

The holiday season draws tourists to beach communities, boosting economies but also increasing waste from food, drinks, and souvenirs. This surge in litter can strain local resources, causing pollution and environmental harm. To combat this, it’s essential to promote responsible tourism that emphasises recycling and sustainable waste disposal.

As a tourist — or a local encouraging tourists — here’s how you can support this:

• Clearly marked and accessible bins prompt proper disposal of recyclables.

• Integrating recycling into festivals and events serves as behavioural cues for attendees.

• Informative signs educate tourists on recyclable materials and encourage sorting.

• Local businesses can offer discounts to individuals who bring reusable containers and bags.

• Local governments, businesses, and residents can coordinate strategies for handling peak-season waste.

These principles apply beyond beaches. Other sustainable tips for the festive season include reusing gift wrap, giving second-hand or home-made gifts, using reusable shopping and dining containers, and donating or composting leftover food.?

By adopting these practices, both locals and visitors can enjoy the holidays while protecting the natural beauty of their destinations, fostering community pride, and contributing to a sustainable future for coastal and holiday areas.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thank You To Our Core Funder

SST's biggest project, Towards Zero Waste to the Seas of Africa, has an ambitious vision of a future where the people of Africa and her seas flourish together. The generous core funding from the? Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support this project is hereby gratefully acknowledged.