Policies to reduce single-use plastic marine pollution in West Africa

• Published in: Marine policy Vol. 116; p. 103928
• Main Authors: Adam, Issahaku, Walker, Tony R., Bezerra, Joana Carlos, Clayton, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2020
• Subjects: Marine plastic pollution; Plastic bag bans; Plastic bags; Plastic litter; Single-use plastics (SUPs); Marine plastic pollution; Plastic bags; Plastic bag bans; Plastic litter; Single-use plastics (SUPs)
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103928

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. This paper reviews SUP reduction policies, specifically in West Africa. The main policy instruments used by countries in West Africa is legislative SUP bans mostly on plastic grocery bags. Of the 16 countries, 11 have instituted bans, one has a market-based instrument and rest (4) with no strategy. Bans carry hefty punishments (i.e., fines and prison sentences). However, there is limited consultation when drafting bans, no national campaigns, and limited notification (less than one year) between ban announcement and subsequent implementation. There are no provisions for re-useable alternatives. We recommend current and future policies to reduce SUPs should engage stakeholders, allow sufficient time between announcement and implementation where the policy should be widely publicised. Governments are encouraged to offer inexpensive re-useable alternatives.
•West African (African) countries have embraced single-use plastic reduction policies.•However, tangible evidence of single-use plastic reduction has been questioned.•Twelve out of 16 countries have instituted single-use plastic reduction policies.•The policies are mainly legislative (bans) with limited market-based approaches.•Bans lack proper planning, coordination and implementation/enforcement.