**4. Waste governance in Africa**

A number of policies (international, continental and regional) are already in place to address pollution and waste in Africa. However, it remains unclear as to how these policies have been translated into action and what progress, if any, has been made towards achieving their objectives and commitments. The inability of governments to enforce waste and environmental legislation in many African countries has given rise to a culture of impunity and has weakened the effectiveness of waste management in general [13]. What is clear, is the inability of governments and private industry to keep pace with growing waste streams and the timely development of policies and strategies to effectively deal with it [14].

**Figure 4.** *African countries that have implemented local or national bans against waste plastics (dark blue shaded) (adapted from [15]).*

**239**

*Solid Waste Management in Africa: Governance Failure or Development Opportunity?*

product bans on "problematic" products, particularly on single-use plastics. According to UNEP [15], 29 countries in Africa have already implemented some sort of regulation against plastics either at local or national level (**Figure 4**). These regulations vary from a ban on single-use (thin) plastic bags (and associated requirements for bag thickness) to complete bans on all plastic bags. The growing public outcry against plastic is now sparking action by governments on possible further bans on other single-use plastic products, such as PET beverage bottles and food services industry products such as plastic straws, cups, contain-

As a result, the response from many African countries has been to implement

The slow adoption, limited use and poor design of economic instruments in solid waste in Africa, including alternative policy instruments such as extended

Weak waste collection systems in Africa combined with uncontrolled and controlled dumping of waste, often associated with open burning, are causing significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Current waste management practices in Africa are resulting in the leakage of waste into the environment. Furthermore, the indiscriminate dumping of waste in urban areas creates risks of disease, flooding and environmental pollution. Research has shown a correlation between proximity to open dumpsites and incidence of disease, including increased

Open burning of waste causes significant air pollution which impacts human health and contributes to changing climates. These impacts are not always local, but can be far reaching. Methane and black carbon released through open burning of waste are short-lived climate pollutants with strong effects on regional and global

Africa has become a dumping ground for waste, particularly hazardous waste,

Plastic as a percentage of MSW for sub-Saharan Africa is higher than the global average, at 13% [9] and is a waste stream of growing concern for the continent. With weak waste collection systems and disposal of waste to uncontrolled and controlled dumpsites, the leakage of plastic into the environment poses a significant threat to the environment and economies [29, 30]. This is compounded by the lack

Improper waste management has serious health and environmental consequences. If it persists, it will undermine Africa's efforts to achieve the sustainable

often from developed countries, with many African countries, particularly in west and north Africa, becoming a global destination for end-of-life EEE and vehicles exported from developed countries in North America, Europe and Asia [10, 16, 23, 24]. Current electronic waste recycling practices, often informal, pose potential risks to people and the environment [25, 26]. Children and women are heavily involved in WEEE recycling in Africa, constituting the most vulnerable group for this waste. Recycling of used lead-acid batteries in informal workshops in Africa is a major source of lead pollution, exposing considerable numbers of

In addition, the non-domestication of international agreements is making Africa an easy target for illegal dumping of hazardous waste from outside of the continent

producer responsibility (EPR) represents a "lost opportunity" [16].

**5. Environmental and social impacts of mismanaged waste**

risk of cholera, malaria, typhoid fever, dengue fever and Zika [19–22].

people and the environment to adverse effects [27, 28].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86974*

ers and utensils.

climate change [2].

of recycling in Africa.

development goals (SDGs).

[17, 18].

*Solid Waste Management in Africa: Governance Failure or Development Opportunity? DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86974*

As a result, the response from many African countries has been to implement product bans on "problematic" products, particularly on single-use plastics. According to UNEP [15], 29 countries in Africa have already implemented some sort of regulation against plastics either at local or national level (**Figure 4**). These regulations vary from a ban on single-use (thin) plastic bags (and associated requirements for bag thickness) to complete bans on all plastic bags. The growing public outcry against plastic is now sparking action by governments on possible further bans on other single-use plastic products, such as PET beverage bottles and food services industry products such as plastic straws, cups, containers and utensils.

The slow adoption, limited use and poor design of economic instruments in solid waste in Africa, including alternative policy instruments such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) represents a "lost opportunity" [16].

In addition, the non-domestication of international agreements is making Africa an easy target for illegal dumping of hazardous waste from outside of the continent [17, 18].
