Eradicating Plastic Pollution In Africa: SEDI Calls For Action

By Isaac Eranga

In 2022, the global plastic pollution treaty was adopted by 175 countries at an annual conference held by the United Nations Environment program (UNEP). The treaty according to UNEP, was aimed at tackling the entire life-cycle of plastic, with the primary goal of developing circular economy that break the region of single-use plastics. 

This has led people from different countries of the world to devise myriad of methods in tackling the global crisis of plastic pollution. Various countries have enacted restrictions on different types of plastic. These ranges from updated recycling facilities, reduction in plastic use, development of bio-plastics, and investment in alternatives. According to globalcitizen.org, "communities have staged clean-up efforts to remove plastic waste from coastlines, rivers and landscapes. Technologies have been invented to trap microplastics and massive machines have been mobilised to clear away ocean plastic".

"But the problem keeps getting worse. That's because these efforts have been fragmented. Without global coordination, the plastic industry will continue to evolve and expand, plastic consumption will become more common and diffuse, and plastic pollution will become more widespread, contaminating the farthest reaches of the planet".

"And despite efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic products as well as countries who have banned plastic use in some instances, experts predict that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next ten years", the Guardian reported.

In Nigeria, the Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has been playing a tremendous role in reducing the use plastic, thereby contributing to the Global Plastic Treaty.

Firstly, SEDI has coordinated plastic brand audits in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in Nigeria cited in http://sedinig.org/gallery/, with Coca-Cola and Pepsico being the leading brands of plastic waste polluters.

Secondly, SEDI coordinates a campaign on ‘Pathway to Municipal Waste Management in Edo State’ campaigning for a non-incineration policy on waste incineration in landfills, cited in http://sedinig.org/sedi-waste-management-communique/), with continuous engagement with waste pickers, government officials, media and other stakeholders in Edo State.

Furthermore, SEDI facilitates waste pickers in Edo State working towards formalization and integration of waste pickers. SEDI has facilitated the ‘Otofure Dumpsite Waste pickers Constitution’ for waste pickers (http://sedinig.org/waste-pickers-constitution/).

In addition, SEDI is Co-chair, Circular Economy Benin-City club: Devoted to the design and implementation of circular economy strategies in the plastic sector with a pilot plastic waste collection, recycling and campaign programme using the circular economy business model to reduce plastic pollution and create green jobs.

Finally, SEDI works on zero waste and is using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in managing and treatment of biodegradable waste such as kitchen waste. This is a promising and sustainable way to manage organic waste generated from our homes, schools, farms, and industries.

SEDI has been in the fore front of media advocacy for the Global Plastic Treaty with coordinated media articles in Nigeria. SEDI supports global campaigns through sign ups to letters supporting a future free from plastic pollution and demonstrate civil society power. 

The aim of SEDI is to amplify the campaign in reducing plastic use and increasing the percentage of plastic waste recycled. Currently, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. Meaning that 91% ends up in landfills, in oceans, and in the bellies of marine life.

SEDI however recommends the following:

- plastic production reduction

- chemical transparency

- ensuring mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR)

- commitment to put regulations in place to operationalise policies

- necessitating the push for more upstream measures

- the inclusion of waste pickers, indigenous peoples and frontline communities, under-represented African countries, women and youth

- championing social and human rights aspects of the plastics treaty and sustainable, roburst financial mechanisms for the treaty.

SEDI Advocates Use Of Mercury-Free Alternatives In Tooth Filling

 ... Kicks against the use of amalgam, says it does much harm to the body

By Isaac Eranga

As part of activities in commemorating the 2023 Mercury-Free Dentistry Week, the Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has called for the use of mercury-free alternatives in tooth filling, saying amalgam does much harm to the body. 

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Executive Director of SEDI- Dr. Tom Aneni. According to the statement, "Mercury-free fillings are tooth-friendly, amalgam is tooth unfriendly.  Amalgam is a colonial relic which requires removal of good tooth matter, creating weaker teeth and the need for future repairs.  

"By contrast, the alternatives are tooth friendly.Glass ionomers are child-friendly: atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) does not require a power drill, or an electrical source.  Hence ART can be done in remote villages where electrical service is intermittent. 

"Composites are technically superior to amalgam, preserving the tooth rather than removing good tooth matter, and easier for future repairs, making them a better price in the long run. 

"Mercury is so toxic it is the sole subject of an international convention whose goal is to end man-made uses of mercury: the Minamata Convention.   

"Mercury is the most vaporous of the heavy metals, so a dental clinic still placing amalgam is a very dangerous work environment, especially for young women.  

"In the teeth, amalgam releases mercury vapor into the body, including (a) the brain, (b) kidneys, (c) the mother’s breast milk, and (d) the female uterus.   Because their brains are developing, at gravest risk of permanent injury for mercury are children – meaning we must also protect nursing mothers and pregnant women. 

"Mercury-free fillings preserve tooth structure: Mercury-free fillings can help prevent future caries: Mercury-free fillings are long lasting; Competent dentists can do alternatives as quickly as amalgam.

"Mercury in fish and vegetables:  Amalgam’s mercury converts to methylmercury in the fish.  Continued use of amalgam in Africa means that children with a fish diet are at serious risk of brain damage.  Dental mercury gets into the ground and from there into vegetables people eat. 

"Dentistry is one of the largest users of mercury in the world.  The number of dentists in Africa is growing rapidly; it is essential that both new and old are trained in mercury-free dentistry, or the mercury pollution will get much worse. In Africa, dental mercury is often diverted via the black market for use in small-scale gold mining", the statement said.

Poor Rural Environmental Health Programmes in Nigeria is due to governmental insensitivity, says Life Boat

News Blogger: Isaac Eranga

Benin City: Lack of governmental priority, inadequacy of manpower, and poor implementation of projects have been attributed to the unsatisfactory state of the rural environmental health service in Nigeria. 

This attribution was made by the Executive Director of Life Boat Initiative for Societal Development - Mr Osarobo Ogbevoen. He said the Nigerian government has not given sufficient priority to rural environmental health.

"Until now, the planning of environmental health Programmes has been conducted in a rather piecemeal haphazard fashion, without any attempt to analyse the needs and determine the objectives. There have been no specific plans for the development of environmental health activities within the framework of general socio-economic development plans, but only a series of uncoordinated'micro-projects', most of which are designed as emergency measures to offset the dangers arising from rapid rural community expansion.

"A more forward-looking approach and the use of prospective studies to help government draw up long-term plans would be highest priority and the government should always consider this activity as an integrated part of national health plans.

"The need to use available national resources for improving sanitation standards is very paramount, and rural environmental health planning is a sine qua non. The success and failure of environmental health will depend on the quality of the supporting administrative structures.

"The programmes should therefore be planned, organised and executedso as to improve the entire rural population and directed towards prevention and control of environmental health disease.  In the context of rural areas, these activities should concern water supply, the collection, treatment and disposal of liquid and solid wastes, control of insects, rodents and other vectors, housing and food sanitation", says Life Boat boss.