By Hauwa Ali
African environmental activists have scheduled a conference meeting in Gqeberha, South Africa to press Governments and businesses to reduce the production of plastics.
The conference scheduled to hold on Friday, themed: ‘Towards Zero Plastic to the seas of Africa’, will bring together academics and experts to delebrate on the plastic industry and its effects on the continent.
The organisers, African Marine Waste Network, says the participants would be focusing on actions needed to stop plastic from ruining Africa’s land and sea.
Despite a growing recycling industry, plastic waste is piling up in Africa’s landfill sites, clogging drainage systems and polluting rivers and oceans.
According to United Nations, Africa has an average waste collection rate of 55% but only 4% of itis recycled.
Africa’s rapid population growth and ever-expanding urbanisation has led to the increased production and utilisation of plastic products, which environmentalists are resolute on addressing the challenges as well as impacts on human health and environment.