The regulation of plastics and plastic waste in Africa

For any observant traveller in Africa it should be clear that waste collection and waste disposal is a major health and environmental problem. In recent years, the seriousness of the situation has been acknowledged by governing institutions at the continental, subregional and state levels, and here and there legislative and policy measures have either been proposed or adopted. However, at this point in time there is no, or too little, data available to determine trends and outcomes. Even in the case of states that have imposed taxes or bans on the use of plastic carrier bags, one of the main contributors to plastic waste on the African continent, a lack of effective enforcement often remains a major problem. This chapter provides a preliminary account of the status of plastic and plastic waste regulation in Africa. Although plastic waste regulation in Africa is still in its early stages and irregular at best, the overview provided here may set the research agenda for the law on plastics regulation and management in Africa.