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Africa: UN Urges Swift Action on Plastic Pollution Ahead of Treaty Talks - Report
allAfrica, 18 May 2023
The widespread use of plastics, as well as their long-lasting nature and improper disposal, is one of the most pressing environmental problems of our time. Read more »
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Africa: WWF Calls for a Global Ban on 'Harmful and Unnecessary' Single-Use Plastic Items
World Wildlife Fund For Nature, 18 May 2023
New technical reports outline high-risk plastics polluting the planet and shows global plastic bans, phase-outs and control measures are entirely feasible Read more »
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South Africa: UN Proposes Market Shifts to Dramatically Decrease Plastic Pollution in Three Easy Steps
Daily Maverick, 16 May 2023
As countries seek to secure a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, a report outlining the path to do so has been released by the United Nations Environment… Read more »
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Nigeria: Nigeria's Street Food Adds to the Plastic Problem - Green Leaves Offer a Solution
The Conversation Africa, 16 May 2023
Street food is popular in Nigerian cities. Most of the local food delicacies are sold by vendors whose livelihoods depend on informal subsistence activities such as local food… Read more »
Step Away From That Plastic - The Road to Pollution Treaty Talks
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a new report saying that countries have the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution by 80% in less than two decades.
Plastic production, particularly single-use plastic, has increased significantly in recent decades, while waste management systems have not kept up. In 2021 alone, the world generated 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste. If no action is taken, global plastic production is projected to triple by 2060.
The report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) comes two weeks before negotiators from nearly 200 countries meet in Paris for a new round of negotiations aimed at reaching a legal agreement next year to end plastic pollution.
UNEP presented a roadmap for governments and businesses to address plastic pollution. It emphasized on three key strategies: reuse, recycling, and alternative materials.
InFocus
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As much as one-third of the clothing sent from the west to developing countries every year may be ending up in landfill. Unwearable polyester garments are little more than "plastic ... Read more »
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In a move that comes from years of work and activism by governments, NGOs and international organisations, a plastics treaty is finally on the table. The treaty's goal is to end ... Read more »
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The informal plastic recycling sector in Kenya does not fairly compensate waste pickers making it a very exploitative circular economy. Mr Green Africa is changing that by pu Read more »
