World Environment Day 2023: Tackling Plastic Pollution

World Environment Day 2023: Tackling Plastic Pollution in Africa and The Path Towards a Circular Economy

As we celebrated World Environment Day this year, the resounding theme is "Beat Plastic Pollution". The narrative is a clear call to action against a global challenge that continues to plague our world: plastic pollution. This year's theme is a stark reminder of an insightful African proverb that tells us, "even the lion protects himself against flies." What this underlines is the collective responsibility we must take towards mitigating risks that are too overwhelming for individual action - plastic pollution being one such monumental risk.

The Grim Reality of Plastic Pollution

The annual production of plastics worldwide is staggering - 430 million metric tons, a figure predicted to triple by 2060 if we maintain our current practices. Every year, an estimated 19 to 23 million tons of plastic leak into aquatic ecosystems. This means that every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans. With more microplastics present in our water systems than there are stars in the Milky Way, we are staring at a grim future where, by 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish.

Africa, along with Asia, accounts for up to 90% of ocean plastic waste, with the continent suffering significant plastic pollution. Although Africa produces just about 6% of the global plastics and has the lowest consumption rate, it imports up to 70% of the consumed plastic. Despite leading the world in banning plastics with 34 out of 54 countries having passed such legislation, Africa grapples with issues of minimal circularity and mismanagement of plastic waste.

The Impact on Health, Environment, and Economy

The impact of plastic pollution goes beyond environmental degradation - it significantly affects economies and public health. Plastic pollutants enter the food chain as they degrade into micro-plastics, contaminating food and water, and increasing risks of heart disease and other health complications.

Environmentally, plastic waste takes at least 300 years to decompose naturally. This slow process causes long-term environmental pollution, with effects that are global, transboundary, and invasive to all ecosystems. The alarming reality is that nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics.

From an economic perspective, plastic pollution costs the global economy between $300 billion - $600 billion every year. In Africa, plastic waste threatens the continent's blue economy, projected to generate up to $300 billion annually, and create 49 million jobs.

The Way Forward: Circular Economy and Regulatory Changes

We cannot fight plastic pollution effectively without considering its economic implications. The plastic industry is an essential part of many economies, and efforts to mitigate plastic pollution must reflect this reality. This is where the concept of a circular economy comes in.

A circular economy seeks to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them while in use, and recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of their service life. A global shift to circularity in plastics could create savings of up to $4.5 trillion by 2040, reduce GHG emissions by 25%, and create 700,000 more jobs in developing countries.

In Africa, embracing circularity in plastics could inject nearly $8 billion annually into the economy. This transition would require significant market and technological shifts in the plastics landscape. In line with the United Nations Environment Programme's study "Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy," we must promote the three principal areas: reuse, recycle, and reorient.

A Call to Action

Beating plastic pollution requires a global response to a global crisis. We must go beyond regulations and embrace innovative and economically beneficial solutions. Let us take responsibility for our actions, and foster the behaviors and mindsets that protect our planet. On this World Environment Day, let us redouble our efforts, foster collaborations, and work tirelessly to #BeatPlasticPollution.

Let's choose reusable alternatives, support industries that adopt environmentally friendly practices, and educate ourselves and others on the adverse effects of plastic pollution. Let's turn off the plastic tap, and together we can create a sustainable future.