The Gambia fights back against plastic pollution ruining its beaches

The Gambia is experiencing significant challenges related to plastic pollution, particularly in its non-tourist areas, where beaches and waterways are cluttered with plastic waste and smoke from burning rubbish fills the air. This environmental crisis has prompted the government to take legislative action, including an anti-littering law introduced in 2007 and a ban on plastic bags enforced in 2015. Despite these measures, overflowing dumpsites remain an eyesore and health hazard, illustrating the ongoing struggle the country faces in addressing plastic waste. To further combat this problem, the Gambian government, in collaboration with the UK organization Common Seas, has devised a National Action Plan aimed at reducing plastic waste by an ambitious 86%. This strategy focuses on the entire lifecycle of plastics, seeking to improve waste management infrastructure, enhance the enforcement of existing laws, and elevate public awareness about recycling and environmental health. This initiative has been met with mixed reactions from the public, including skepticism about its feasibility. Among the skeptics is Ajie Fana, a local who works as a collector of plastics from Bijilo's largest landfill, who questions the government's commitment to creating genuine economic opportunities for those reliant on plastic collection for their livelihoods. Many workers, like Fana and her peers, rely on scavenging for survival, and the suggestion of a plastic-free environment raises fears of economic loss. This predicament is echoed by other waste collectors, including trained plastics picker Amie Sonko, who acknowledges the economic incentive in recycling but also concerns about whether the transition to a sustainable waste management system will happen equitably for those dependent on the current system. The role of local communities is crucial in addressing the plastic crisis. Initiatives supported by organizations such as WasteAid UK have begun to train individuals in proper waste collection and recycling techniques. Amie Sonko's collective, for instance, receives training and equipment to sort and sell plastics, demonstrating a local effort to create income-generating opportunities. Despite this progress, there remain critical questions about sustainability and equity in the transition towards a cleaner environment, with fears that workers may not receive adequate support to adapt to new systems. Thais Vojvodic, director of government and business partnerships at Common Seas, emphasizes the importance of integrating various approaches, including recycling initiatives, to tackle the multifaceted issue of plastic pollution in The Gambia.