Stop Plastics and Chemicals (SPCs)

BACKGROUND

Every year, more than 430 million tons of plastic products are produced each year, barely 10% of this total waste is recycled, 46% of plastic waste is landfilled, while 22% is mismanaged and becomes litter and 20 million tons end up in lakes, rivers and oceans thus affecting biodiversity and marine ecosystems. Unlike other materials, plastic is not biodegradable. It can take up to hundreds of years to decompose, which means that it critically accumulates in the environment after being discarded. This pollution suffocates marine species, negatively impacts soils and poisons groundwater, and can have serious impacts on human and animal health. Plastic is also contributing to the climate crisis. Plastic production is one of the most energy-intensive manufacturing processes in the planète.il is made from fossil fuels such as crude oil, which is turned into a polymer using heat and other additives. In 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or 3.4% of global emissions. In Cameroon, the plastic waste produced is estimated at more than 600,000 tons, not counting plastic imports, which are estimated according to the report of Actions femme pour une Planète Bio (2023) at more than 120 million tons per year and barely 40% are recovered.

In addition, about a quarter of the more than 10,000 unique chemicals used in plastics are potentially of concern to human health and safety. These chemicals are either deliberately added during the production process or unintentionally added by-products, degradation products, or contaminants. An analysis of common plastic products revealed the presence of about 20 additives per product on average.

Taking into account the danger of plastics associated with its dissemination in the environment and all ecosystems, taking into account the need to strengthen knowledge and approaches to recycling plastics, taking into account the negative influence of the plastic value chain on the climate; taking into account the presence and hazardousness of associated chemicals; content and added to plastics and plastic management,  African Environmental Network launched its Stop Plastics and Chemicals program in 2023.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

Contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution and the reduction of the chemical risks of chemicals

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• Train and inform about plastic pollution and chemicals
• Collect at least 3 tons of plastic bottles per year and pass them on to recycling companies
• Training in the recycling of plastic bottles
• Conduct research on the impact of plastics and chemicals on human and environmental health
• Sensitize local communities on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste and tools and materials containing hazardous chemicals.
• Establish ongoing communication on the status of plastics and hazardous chemicals at national and regional level.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Youth, women, households, and neighborhood groups are informed and trained about plastic pollution and chemicals
• At least 3 tons of plastic waste are collected per year and passed on to recycling companies.
• Young people and women are trained in plastic recycling
• Research is being conducted on the impact of plastic and chemicals on human and environmental health
• Local communities are sensitized on the environmentally sound management of plastic waste and chemicals
• Continuous communication on the situation of plastics and chemicals is established through the website and social networks at national and regional level.