The need for reducing plastic shopping bag use and disposal in Africa

摘要

Plastic shopping bags are widely used for transporting a range of small consumer goods, and in some regions, also serve secondary roles for conveying drinking water and disposing of human and other domestic wastes. While annual production and use statistics are not available from industry sectors, environmental groups estimate that between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are used globally each year. Since their inception, uncontrolled disposal of these bags has been causing environmental problems worldwide, and many municipal, regional, and national governments are beginning to take action. The problem is particularly acute in Africa due to its unique set of socio-economic and political conditions. Similarly unique solutions will be needed to solve this complex issue.