Compiled by Angela Mutiso
Africa’s Plastic Pollution Is a Pressing Yet Fixable Problem
Seeing plastic swaying in the wind like poisonous kites, snagging on acacia thorns in the Kenyan savanna, is a bad feeling. Plastics can also be found in Lagos gutters, in the Nile, and smouldering in Accra’s trash heaps.
Again, when you walk through Dakar’s markets, you’ll find water, juice, and shampoo sold in tiny plastic sachets. These sachets are convenient but designed to be thrown away after being torn open. These sachets don’t disappear. They pile in storm drains, choke rivers, and wash out to sea. In Nigeria alone, over 200,000 metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean annually (UNEP, 2018).
For years, wealthy nations shipped their “recyclable” plastic waste to Africa, claiming it would be processed. The truth, however, is that much of it was dumped. A 2021 investigation by The Guardian found British plastic waste spilling into illegal dumps in Kenya and Tanzania, labelled as “recycling,” but left to rot.
In Mombasa, a fisherman explains that his nets used to pull in enough fish to feed his family and sell at the market. He now complains that half of what he catches is plastic. A 2020 study in Marine Pollution Bulletin found that 74% of fishsampled in Kenyan waters had ingested plastic. This highlights a significant issue of plastic pollution affecting marine life in the region. The study also found that polyethene (PE) polymers were the most abundant type of plastic found in the fish.
The study uncovered widespread microplastic pollution along Kenya’s coastline, with these tiny plastic particles contaminating ocean waters and seafloor sediments. Of particular concern is the potential for these microplastics to enter the human food chain, primarily through consuming fish that have ingested plastic debris. Researchers warn that plastic’s toxic additives could pose long-term health risks if consumed regularly.
The findings show the severe impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems, threatening not only aquatic life but also the livelihoods of coastal communities. Experts say there is urgent need for improved waste management systems and stronger environmental policies to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine biodiversity. As a practical measure, the study advises people to gut and remove fish’s gills before cooking to minimize microplastic intake.
Kenya has taken big steps to address plastic pollution, including a nationwide ban on plastic bags and restrictions on single-use plastics in protected areas. These efforts are commendable and are part of the country’s broader National Marine Litter Management Action Plan, spearheaded by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The idea is to curb marine litter through sustainable waste management and public awareness campaigns.
Plastic management has become such a major issue that World Environment Day in 2025 focused on ending plastic pollution. The Republic of Korea hosted the global celebrations.
For decades, plastic pollution has dribbled into every corner of the world, leaching into the water we drink, the food we eat, and our bodies. While plastic pollution is a great concern, it is also one of the most fixable of today’s environmental issues, with some obvious solutions.
In 2025, World Environment Day joined the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution to mobilise communities worldwide to implement and advocate for solutions. World Environment Day spotlighted the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and drove momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastic use. It also reinforced the global commitment made in 2022 to end plastic pollution through a global plastic pollution treaty.
Why was Korea chosen to host this year’s World Environment Day? We can learn so much from this country hosting the event for the second time. For nearly three decades, the government has transformed its approach to the environment, carefully cleaning up rivers and skies, prudently handling hazardous materials, and reviving damaged landscapes. South Korea stands at the forefront of a global movement to confront the plastic crisis. Drawing on years of collaboration with industries, holding manufacturers accountable for their products even after sale, the nation has drawn a comprehensive plan targeting plastic waste at every turn.
This strategy doesn’t just focus on recycling; it deals with plastics from the ground up; how they’re made, designed, used, and repurposed. It’s a joint effort, uniting policymakers, companies, and everyday citizens to change the way society deals with plastic. By cutting waste before it starts, boosting reuse systems, and pushing toward an economy where nothing goes to waste, South Korea is making bold strides to reduce pollution and pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.
According to worldenvitomentday.Global Jeju Province in the Republic of Korea was chosen as the host location for World Environment Day. In 2022, the province declared a vision to become free of plastic pollution by 2040.
Jeju is the only province in South Korea where household waste must be taken to designated recycling centres. This system applies strict waste separation at the source, leading to higher recycling rates and more efficient material repurposing. Jeju was also the country’s first province to implement a disposable cup deposit system.
Plastic is a double-edged sword. It is lightweight, durable, and cheap. It revolutionized industries, from medicine to food safety, keeping products fresh and reducing transport emissions. The downside is that plastic lingers for centuries, choking oceans, poisoning wildlife, and even entering our bodies as microplastics. Recycling alone can’t save us; less than 10% of plastic is repurposed. The rest piles up in landfills or drifts into ecosystems.
What can we do about it? Governments should enforce stricter bans on single-use plastics while pushing for biodegradable alternatives, and companies should ditch excessive packaging. Consumers too, can play a big part in solving this nagging problem. You can stop using straws, carry reusable bottles, and support brands that prioritize sustainability. Innovation matters; you can invest in materials like algae-based plastics or mycelium packaging. And when plastic is unavoidable, turn to Jeju’s zero-waste model.
The solution isn’t one hero but a million small acts of defiance against throwaway culture. Play your part and you will be happy with the results. Start now.
The writer is the Editorial Consultant of the Accountant Journal.
