East Africans: Lets unite for change
Turning the plastic tap off is essential to protecting the health of our citizens and biodiversity. Influencing policy change is at the heart of what we do which is why we educate communities to understand the plastic problem, inspiring innovation and influencing policy change by advocating for a regional ban on unnecessary single-use plastics within East Africa.
As we’ve seen, plastics know no borders and they’re taking over our shared resources. Research has shown 1/5 Nile perch in Lake Victoria have ingested microplastics and it’s predicted to get worse if we don’t take urgent, coordinated action now.
Our campaign has gained tremendous supporting collecting nearly 20,000 signatures on our petition as well as garnering the support of legislators from all 7 EAC countries and as communities, we hold an incredible positive power when we join forces to take action which is why we’re calling on YOU to raise your voice and tell our leaders we’re ready for a cleaner, greener and healthier#PlasticFreeEastAfrica as a leading example for the world.
East Africa amplifies it’s voice in the global plastic conversation
In April 2023, Members of Parliament and policymakers from all seven East African Community (EAC) member states met in Nairobi to explore ways to achieve a single-use plastic-free East Africa. This workshop co-organised by The SMEP Programme, UNCTAD, ALN, and The ICCF Group looked at how national laws and experience can help build a regional harmonised policy in East Africa for reducing single-use plastics, material alternatives and substitutes, plastic trade, as well as regional approaches to tackling plastic pollution.
Participants were unanimous in their agreement to take a regional approach and committed to taking collective action to ensure all East Africans can thrive and be part of a sustainable transition to a more circular economy and a healthier environment. We produced a detailed report that captures key outcomes from the various presentations, discussions and site visits. Read, HERE.
We also had the chance to interview regional leaders to capture their thoughts. Watch our highlights video, HERE.
WHAT WE’RE CALLING FOR
We are calling for all the EAC Member States to reach regional consensus and take a leadership stance by adopting legislation to address single-use plastic and ban the most destructive, useless plastics – those that can’t be recycled and are non-essential to human survival – such as cotton buds, cutlery, disposable cups, and plastic straws.
Thanks to our partners, leading African law firm ALN, we drafted a bill that proposes a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and importation of certain single use plastic items that are all non-essential items which are particularly harmful to our environment and livelihoods, cannot be recycled and are readily substitutable: microbeads in cosmetics, cutlery, plates, cups, cotton buds, straws, stirrers, wet wipes, carrier bags, balloons, food containers and sweet wrappers. This is a unique bill in that the products proposed to be banned are based on specific types of single-use plastic only. To read the Bill, click HERE.
State of SUP’s in East Africa
Together with ALN Kenya, Sustainable Inclusive Business and UNCTAD we launched a report uncovering the need to adopt streamlined legislation to manage plastic pollution throughout the East African Community (EAC).
The goal of the report is to promote a better understanding of existing Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) regulations and lay the groundwork for the adoption of streamlined legislation and collaborative action within the EAC to regulate plastics production, support waste management, and eliminate unnecessary SUPs at a regional level. The report outlines the current state of affairs of the policies, regulations, and laws that address the harmful effects of SUPs in East Africa. Read the report, HERE.