Making policy work for Africa's circular plastics economy
Developed under the SMEP-funded GIVO-Warwick project, lead by the University of Warwick, the below perspectives paper discusses how policy changes can drive circular plastics economy in African countries, with examples from Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia.
The African continent faces unique challenges in the context of the increasing plastic pollution due to the growing population, changing consumer trends, and increased urbanisation. Plastic pollution, especially from single-use packaging, is becoming a major environmental and social challenge. There are concerns that the global waste crisis will disproportionately impact Africa.
Improving the existing policy environment along these four elements can enable circular plastics solutions to grow and scale-up:
- Extended producer responsibility
- Common standards
- Digital innovations for data collection and decentralised business models
- Informal sector inclusion
Regional coordination amongst African governments, international cooperation and stakeholder collaboration will be key to achieve a circular plastics economy on the continent.
