Addis Ababa is grappling with a severe plastic waste problem as more than 80,000 tons of plastic waste are generated each year, according to the Addis Ababa City Administration Environmental Protection Authority (AAEPA) shockingly, plastic constitutes approximately 13% of the city’s total waste output, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Recognizing the pressing issue of plastic pollution, AAEPA recently convened discussions with various stakeholders involved in the production, distribution, and consumption of plastic products.
Participants included plastic factories engaged in plastic reproduction, supermarkets utilizing plastic packaging, bread producers, distributors, as well as garden and paper container establishments.
Dida Driba, the General Manager of AAEPA, emphasized the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on public health, the environment, and water resources. Plastic pollution has emerged as a significant concern in Addis Ababa, with far-reaching consequences.
To address this critical problem, it is imperative to ensure that plastic manufacturing processes in the capital city do not contribute to environmental pollution. In the discussions, the Authority outlined specific measures that should be implemented to mitigate plastic pollution.
These measures include enforcing a minimum thickness requirement of 0.03 micrometers for plastic products to prevent their easy degradation, implementing substantial taxes on plastic products, and exploring alternative non-plastic options.
The consumption of plastic in the country has surged dramatically in recent years. Between 2007 and 2022, plastic consumption escalated from a mere 43,000 tons to a staggering 224,000 tons annually.
Additionally, per capita plastic consumption has grown at an alarming rate of 13% annually. Although approximately 40,000 tons of plastic waste is recycled each year, it represents only half of the total plastic waste generated.
Companies operating within the plastic industry were urged to adopt a comprehensive approach that encompasses both plastic and non-plastic alternatives.
The emphasis was placed on establishing systems that would enable these companies to transition from plastic products to non-plastic substitutes, reducing the overall harm caused by plastic pollution.
It is essential for organizations to actively create an environment conducive to converting the plastic products they sell into alternative non-plastic options. By doing so, they can contribute significantly to reducing the adverse effects of plastic pollution on the city and its inhabitants.
The Authority aims to spearhead efforts to tackle the plastic waste crisis by promoting sustainable practices, raising awareness among citizens, and fostering collaborations between various stakeholders. However, the challenge of plastic pollution in Addis Ababa necessitates collective action and the commitment of the entire community to effect meaningful change.