{"id":54451,"date":"2023-11-01T13:27:23","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T13:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?p=54451"},"modified":"2025-08-25T12:50:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T12:50:44","slug":"the-global-plastics-treaty-why-a-global-plastics-treaty-is-essential-to-africa-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/blog\/54451\/the-global-plastics-treaty-why-a-global-plastics-treaty-is-essential-to-africa-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Global Plastics Treaty: Why a Global Plastics Treaty is essential to Africa Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Global Plastics Treaty: A Lifeline for Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n


In our previous blog post<\/a>, we delved into the pervasive issue of plastic pollution, highlighting how plastics have infiltrated our lives, our streets, body organs, food, soil, ecosystems, and our waterways. This crisis, driven by the relentless pursuit of profit by major<\/a> oil companies and their counterparts, spares no corner of the globe. Africa, though responsible for just 5% of plastic production<\/a> and 4% of consumption globally, bears the brunt of this crisis through transboundary transfer of plastic waste and what can only be aptly described as ‘waste colonialism.’<\/a><\/p>\n\n

As petrochemical corporations term Plastics as cheap and convenient, the true cost of plastics is largely invisible; biodiversity destruction, flooding, harming people\u2019s health, social injustice and fueling the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n

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Plastic and other trash is seen in Kenyan streets.<\/em>
\u00a9 Paul Basweti \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

In this blog, we’ll explore the far-reaching consequences of plastic pollution on Africa’s health, environment and economy, and why a strong Global Plastics Treaty is a lifeline for Africa.<\/p>\n\n

Plastics and Health in Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The fundamental right to health<\/a> is a cornerstone of our human rights, and the improper disposal of plastic waste in many African cities and villages is threatening this right. Research<\/a> conducted by Stanford University and the Technical University of Mombasa has revealed a disturbing connection between plastic waste and the spread of tropical diseases like Malaria, chikungunya, and dengue fever, as plastic waste creates breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.<\/p>\n\n

Microplastics (small particles of plastics) have been detected in the environment and human <\/a>bodies. Termed as an emerging potential human health hazard, microplastics have effects ranging from oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity.<\/p>\n\n

Additionally, the burning of plastic waste, a common practice in some regions of Africa, releases harmful pollutants into the air, leading to respiratory problems<\/a> and exacerbating existing conditions, all while contributing to air pollution-related diseases<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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Greenpeace visits places of textile production, distribution, markets and waste disposals. Used and new clothes are sent to Kenya from Europe and China to be sold as so called “Mitumba” but often they end up as landfill and waste disposal due to the huge amount.\nHere: Textile and plastic waste at Dandora dump site in Nairobi<\/figcaption>
\u00a9 Kevin McElvaney \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Plastics and the Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The visual evidence of plastic pollution is impossible to ignore. Plastic litter is everywhere, from the deepest parts of the ocean to the remotest stretches of land. The impact on Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems is nothing short of devastating. Lions with plastic bottles<\/a> and birds entangled in plastics are stark reminders that no place on our planet remains untouched by this crisis. <\/p>\n\n

Marine life, including sea turtles and dolphins, often become entangled in plastic waste or mistake it for prey, leading to starvation as their stomachs fill with plastic. Plastic pollution in rivers and lakes<\/a> threatens freshwater biodiversity<\/a>, while terrestrial ecosystems suffer from littered landscapes. The overall biodiversity and health of Africa’s ecosystems are under severe threat.<\/p>\n\n

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Millions of plastic bottles in dried up river Kalamu in Pont Kyanza, Kinshasa.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Plastics and Economy in Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The economic consequences of plastic pollution in Africa are significant and wide-ranging. The vital tourism industry, which contributes up to 4.4 percent of Africa’s GDP<\/a>, is adversely affected by littered beaches and landscapes, rendering these once picturesque sites unattractive to visitors. For example, in Senegal,<\/a> thousands of used plastic bags, bottles and discarded sachets cover the beach, clinging to the mangrove branches that serve as nurseries for crabs and fish, entangling baby turtles and preventing them from making their way from the nest to the sea, and keeping tourists away.<\/p>\n\n

Furthermore, Agriculture, a cornerstone of Africa’s economy, which employs the majority of Africa’s labor force and contributes 30-40% <\/a>to the Africa GDP is not left behind. Plastic pollution harms soil fertility<\/a> and water quality, rendering lands uncultivable. This exacerbates food insecurity, and causes job losses. <\/p>\n\n

Moreover, the costs associated <\/a>with cleaning up and addressing the healthcare issues resulting from plastic pollution further strain already limited resources which African governments, people and the environment are ultimately paying the price for.<\/p>\n\n

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Activists holding a banner on the beach littered by plastics and debris.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The Path Forward: A Global Plastics Treaty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

It is imperative that these injustices come to an end. A turning point is on the horizon: national governments, civil society representatives and multinational corporations are set to convene for the 3rd Session of negotiations<\/a> (INC3) to develop an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment from November 13th to 19th, 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya. This presents a unique opportunity to bid farewell to the age of plastic through a legally binding treaty.<\/p>\n\n

Unlike the previous negotiation processes, INC3 is critical, as it marks the first time a tangible treaty draft, the \u201cZero draft\u201d<\/a>, is going to be discussed.<\/p>\n\n

A strong legally binding Global plastics treaty that will finally #EndTheAgeOfPlastics should:<\/p>\n\n