HARMONIZING THE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

The Secretary-General, East African Community (EAC)

Single-Use Plastic Free EAC
Nipe Fagio

HARMONIZING THE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

Photo: Single-use plastics create an increased hazard to the East African communities and to the environment, the dump in the Dandora slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP

We addressing and bringing attention to the problem of plastic pollution caused by single-use plastic materials and the need for the East African Community to act fast to address the entire lifecycle of plastics.

Single-use plastics create an increased hazard to the East African communities and to the environment. The unregulated production of single-use plastic to wrap fast-consuming goods contributes to ill health, flooding, the climate emergency, and the strong presence of microplastics in our rivers and ocean.


A 4-Year trend analysis done by Nipe Fagio in Tanzania shows that 76% of the waste found along the coast and in the environment is plastic, and it has been proved that all samples of salt tested worldwide contain microplastics, meaning that human beings are now regularly consuming microplastics, a hazardous substance made of fossil fuels.

Photo: Waste and Brand Audits, Nipe Fagio

The facts above are the reasons why we demand the East African Community take action and be proactive in addressing the indiscriminate use of single-use plastic. The community should consider the following:

  1. Adopt a policy that restricts/bans the manufacture/production of single-use plastic, their sale and use, and one that promotes alternatives to plastics.

  2. Encourage countries to enact and adopt legislation that supports the sustainable production and consumption of plastics products (such as extended producer responsibility) as well as legislations that promote sustainable waste management practices such as zero waste models, reuse, and recycling of specific categories of plastic.

  3. Oversee government implementation of international agreements/conventions that protect our environment, as well as encourage the government to sign international treaties/agreements that protect our environment.


The resolution “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” approved at UNEA 5.2 opens the path for two years of negotiations with the potential of completely changing the scenario of plastic production, design and use. The resolution is worth supporting because it goes beyond addressing marine plastic litter, addressing the whole plastic lifecycle in a legally-binding agreement that also recognizes the informal sector in the plastic value chain. This is a chance for East African Community to lead by example and a critical moment to tell world leaders that we need to end the indiscriminate production of single-use plastics.

The time to act is now! End single-use plastic now.

Sign now and share this urgent call to action and share with your friends.


To: The Secretary-General, East African Community (EAC)
From: [Your Name]

PETITION TO HARMONIZE THE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

A petition from Nipe Fagio, Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD), Global Initiative for Environment and Reconciliation (GER), and Biovision Africa (BIVA) representing Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and other environmental stakeholders in East Africa.

To:
The Secretary-General,
East African Community (EAC)

We, the undersigned, would like to bring to your attention the problem of plastic pollution caused by single-use plastic materials and the need for the East African Community to act fast to address the entire lifecycle of plastics.

Single-use plastics create an increased hazard to the East African communities and to the environment. The unregulated production of single-use plastic to wrap fast-consuming goods contributes to ill health, flooding, the climate emergency, and the strong presence of microplastics in our rivers and ocean.

A 4-Year trend analysis done by Nipe Fagio in Tanzania shows that 76% of the waste found along the coast and in the environment is plastic, and it has been proved that all samples of salt tested worldwide contain microplastics, meaning that human beings are now regularly consuming microplastics, a hazardous substance made of fossil fuels.

The facts above are the reasons why we demand the East African Community take action and be proactive in addressing the indiscriminate use of single-use plastic. The community should consider the following:

1. Adopt a policy that restricts/bans the manufacture/production of single-use plastic, their sale and use, and one that promotes alternatives to plastics.

2. Encourage countries to enact and adopt legislation that supports the sustainable production and consumption of plastics products (such as extended producer responsibility) as well as legislations that promote sustainable waste management practices such as zero waste models, reuse, and recycling of specific categories of plastic.

3. Oversee government implementation of international agreements/conventions that protect our environment, as well as encourage the government to sign international treaties/agreements that protect our environment.

The resolution “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” approved at UNEA 5.2 opens the path for two years of negotiations with the potential of completely changing the scenario of plastic production, design and use. The resolution is worth supporting because it goes beyond addressing marine plastic litter, addressing the whole plastic lifecycle in a legally-binding agreement that also recognizes the informal sector in the plastic value chain. This is a chance for East Africa to lead by example and a critical moment to tell world leaders that we need to end the indiscriminate production of single-use plastics.

The time to act is now! End single-use plastic now.
Sign now and share this urgent call to action and share with your friends.