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.