The Gambia has introduced a bold 10-year National Action Plan aimed at reducing plastic pollution by 86%. This initiative seeks to tackle the country’s long-standing waste management crisis by banning single-use plastics, enhancing waste infrastructure, and increasing public awareness about environmental issues.
Despite its ambitious goals, the plan faces several challenges, including funding shortages, enforcement difficulties, and dependence on informal waste management systems. Critics, such as environmental advocate Lamin Jassey, have expressed doubts about its success, citing past failures of similar programs.
The urgency of the plan is underscored by alarming statistics: 84% of The Gambia’s plastic waste is improperly managed, contributing to the nearly 23,000 tons of plastic waste generated annually.
For the initiative to succeed, experts believe The Gambia must address economic concerns in impoverished communities, balance environmental objectives with local realities, and focus on reducing plastic production at its source. The effectiveness of this ambitious plan will likely depend on the country’s ability to overcome these obstacles and implement sustainable, long-term solutions.
