PLASTIC waste in Africa is not just an urban issue, but also a rural one. Rural communities are almost always heavily dependent on natural resources, such as water and arable land, to make a living.
These resources are being contaminated with plastic waste, the impact of which is often underestimated.
Sub-Saharan Africa produces over 17 million tons of waste annually, with only 12% of plastic waste being recycled. The rest finds its way into landfills, streets and waterways.
In rural areas, much of the plastic waste is burnt, largely because most rural areas have no rubbish collection or recycling facilities available.
Plastic disposed of in this way releases toxins into the environment, killing life on land and in water, and contaminating previously fertile land.
Most governments in Africa do not…