Turning the Tide: How the Gambia Aims to Eliminate Plastic Waste by 2033
Many developing countries are facing a serious challenge to stem the tide of plastic pollution blighting their countries. The Guardian profiled a government initiative in the Gambia to eliminate plastic pollution by 2033 but concerns remain for the people who rely on collecting plastics from landfills to support their families.
The Gambia, a country of 2.5 million people in West Africa, is known for its pristine white sandy beaches and rich biodiversity. But it is grappling with a pressing environmental crisis: plastic pollution. While tourists are increasingly drawn to the country’s dazzling coastline, the country has a serious litter problem. Plastic waste litters beaches and waterways and makeshift dumpsites burn along roadsides, painting a stark picture of the challenge at hand.
Recognizing the urgency, the Gambian government has launched an ambitious National Action Plan to eliminate plastic pollution by 2033. Created in partnership with the UK-based organization Common Seas, the plan aims to cut plastic waste by 86% through infrastructure improvements, stricter enforcement of legislation, and public awareness campaigns. Key measures include a phased ban on single-use plastic bottles, enhanced access to drinking water to reduce reliance on disposable water bags, and renewed enforcement of the 2015 plastic bag ban.
For many Gambians however, plastic waste is more than an environmental issue; it’s a livelihood. In Bakoteh, home to the Gambia’s largest landfill, thousands of people rely on collecting and selling plastic to support their families. Fearing the loss of their livelihood once the Action Plan is implemented, they are eager that the government takes steps to create meaningful economic alternatives for those dependent on waste collection. Organizations like Precious Plastics and Women’s Initiative Gambia recycle waste into products like handbags and household items, showcasing innovative ways to tackle pollution while supporting livelihoods but many more initiatives like these are required if the Action Plan is to gain the support it needs to succeed.
Globally, the stakes are high. The UN Environment Programme warns that the world will be unable to manage the growing volume of plastic waste within a decade. In 2021 alone, the Gambia generated nearly 23,000 tonnes of plastic waste, a figure projected to rise by 42% over the next 10 years. Alarmingly, three-quarters of this waste ends up in the natural environment.
The National Action Plan’s estimated $6 million cost underscores the financial challenges faced by this resource-strapped nation. As a net importer of plastics, the Gambia’s struggles mirror those of other small coastal nations lacking robust waste management infrastructure. Ultimately, tackling plastic pollution requires targeting its source, that is, reducing the volume of plastics created in the first place.
For the Gambia, success will hinge on balancing ambitious goals with practical solutions that ensure a just transition for those whose lives and livelihoods depend on plastic. By addressing both environmental and economic dimensions, the Gambia has an opportunity to redefine its relationship with plastic and lead by example for other nations.
Image credit: Caitlin Kelly
