Beating Plastic Pollution: How they did it this World Environment Day

In the world of climate change, there is talk about fossil fuels. Within the fossil fuel debate, we talk about who is exploring what, who stands to benefit, and the devastating effects on the planet.

In the world of plastic production, there is talk about pollution and the accompanying health problems. We have heard much about recycling and the evils of single-use plastics: The world produces over 400 million tonnes of plastics yearly, but not even 10 per cent of this is recycled, putting humans and ecosystems at risk. 

But, little is said about the connection between the climate crisis and plastics. And, even less is being said about the people or organizations facing the monster and tackling the plastic crisis.

The climate crisis story cannot be told without mentioning its significant link to plastics. Because plastics are made from fossil fuel feedstocks, production is tied to the petrochemical industry. 

Science has already shown that fossil fuels are the major drivers of the climate crisis. Reports show that greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastics will reach 6.5 gigatonnes by 2050. To tackle the plastic crisis is to wage a war against the climate catastrophe.

In this blog, we will spotlight a non-exhaustive list of groups tackling the menace and living up to this year’s World Environment Day theme – beating plastic pollution. These African organizations have seized the mantle and are taking the lead in the race to stop plastic pollution.

Children for Climate Action Campaign

World Environment Day found busy little hands modelling artefacts from plastic waste in Ghana. To mark the day, the Children for Climate Action Campaign, a programme of Strategic Youth Network for Development, launched an initiative known as the Plastic Recovery Challenge with High Speed Academy.

In this engaging activity, 25 learners between the ages of 9 and 14 years were required to come up with creative pieces of work from recovered plastic waste. So impressed were the judges with the collection of items, which included a boat, a helicopter and a necklace, that they promised to hold more training sessions in future.

In the end, the children not only put their creative skills to test, but the activity also raised awareness on the impact of plastic pollution.

Forest, Resources and People (FOREP), Cameroon

A seminar on plastics, a river cleanup, a motorbike caravan, a tree planting activity, and a football match - these activities were on the cards for Forest, Resources, and People (FOREP), a local organisation in Cameroon, this World Environment Day.

From June 1st to 5th the idea was to raise environmental awareness by tackling the plastic problem, fighting pollution and protecting forests. But the highlights were a radio seminar and meetings that would wrap up the week of activities.

The seminar delved into how communities and local stakeholders could support ecosystem restoration activities in Limbe. The meetings highlighted the need for solutions to the plastic problem and how the youth and the church could be involved.

As part of the solutions, the community was encouraged to reuse plastics. Participants discussed the need to use plastics to establish beautiful bottle gardens, for the manufacture of tiles or roofing sheets, make moulds for swimming pools or create accessories and ornaments.

Solutions Oriented Youth Africa

For Solutions Oriented Youth Africa (SOY Africa), the week ahead of World Environment Day was spent cleaning Laboma Beach in Accra. Together with their colleagues in Intertek, BudgIT Ghana and the Students Representative Council of the University of Professional Studies, they took their environmental awareness campaign to revellers on the beach as well as community members.

"We're here to not only clean up the beach but to also champion collective actions towards combating climate change. Most of what we collected were plastics which find their way into the sea and lagoon. This can adversely affect marine and human life," said Justice Gadugah, Executive Director, SOY Africa.

Undeniably, a lot of work has gone into tackling the plastic crisis, including the endorsement of a global plastics treaty. This week, the world inched closer to the treaty as countries meeting in Paris agreed to have the first draft out by November.

At the national level, countries such as Kenya and Rwanda have put in place a ban on single-use plastics. However, implementation of the ban is problematic, at least in Kenya.

All these are incredible first steps towards curbing plastic pollution, but the campaign could be scaled up with more support from communities, organizations as well as individuals.

What did you do to beat plastic pollution this World Environment Day?