Challenges and emerging solutions to the land-based plastic waste issue in Africa

• Published in: Marine policy Vol. 96; pp. 256 - 263
• Main Authors: Jambeck, Jenna, Hardesty, Britta Denise, Brooks, Amy L., Friend, Tessa, Teleki, Kristian, Fabres, Joan, Beaudoin, Yannick, Bamba, Abou, Francis, Julius, Ribbink, Anthony J., Baleta, Tatjana, Bouwman, Hindrik, Knox, Jonathan, Wilcox, Chris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2018
• Subjects: Circular economy; Economic development; Governance; Plastics production; Waste management; Waste management; Circular economy; Plastics production; Governance; Economic development
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.10.041

In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in work that focuses on the amount and types of waste entering the marine environment from multiple geographies around the world. To date, however, there are few reports about the scale of waste entering the coastal and oceanic waters around Africa. To address this knowledge gap, existing information was collated on waste mismanagement that can become marine debris in Africa at the continental scale. This paper focuses on identifying sources and seeking solutions to waste mismanagement. Stories are shared about opportunities that have arisen and solutions that are taking place in several countries around Africa. Finally, impediments to success are discussed and sectors are described where investments can be made to significantly reduce this growing global problem.
•Land-based waste entering the ocean is a significant problem in Africa.•Waste mismanagement is associated with a lack of infrastructure in many African countries.•Africa has the highest population growth rate in the world, particularly in coastal areas.•In 2010, estimates of annual mismanaged waste for the African continent is 4.4 million metric tonnes.•A shift is happening from a linear take-make-dispose model, to a more circular approach with plastics being recycled, repurposed, or reused•Communities across Africa are developing new approaches to waste management and consolidation.•Plastic waste is being turned transformed into retail opportunities. Examples of transformation include turning tires into shoes, upcycling plastic bottles, and making plastic bags into schoolbags for children.