I’ve traveled extensively–especially in coastal areas–for the past forty years, visiting every continent–except Antarctica–and five of the seven seas. I have seen dirty and polluted beaches and coastlines many times before. But nothing prepared me for what I found in Ghana.
There were literally two-foot high mounds of plastic waste strewn along the beaches in areas that weren’t regularly cleaned. The contrast between our hotel beach and the beach next door was striking. At the hotel, a team of men worked eight hours a day trying to keep the beach clean for the guests–and the sea turtles. A hatchery is on the grounds of the resort and they regularly release olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings there. On the beach next door, the tide brought in mounds of plastic waste every day. It formed an ugly line at the high tide mark and was a constant reminder of the pressing need to transform our systems of production and consumption.
Waste plastics from businesses and consumers in Ghana, illegal dumping from ships, and waste carried from neighboring countries on ocean currents all clog Ghana’s coastal areas. One of the most commonly seen types of waste is single-use sachets, such as for drinking water. Bottles, discarded fishing nets, and synthetic clothing items are also prevalent. In addition to the visible waste there is a high level of microplastics in the water and in marine animals. The plastics are negatively impacting marine ecosystems, coastal communities, tourism, and other industries, such as fishing.
The problem is huge, complex, and seemingly overwhelming. Human rights, environmental protection, and economic development all intersect with the issue of plastics use and waste. The problem is monumental. What can be done? Well, we are starting small but trying to develop solutions that can be scaled up. This summer we are exploring three main approaches:
Summer Sustainability and Rights Fellows
For the first time, the UD Human Rights Center and Hanley Sustainability Institute sent two sustainability students to Ghana this summer as part of our international summer fellowships program. Eleanor Yates-McEwan (‘25) and Aidan Minnick (‘25). They are working with GVI-Ghana (a local NGO) and Turtle Up (a US-based NGO) to conduct initial research around plastics use and recycling and to teach about sea turtles, plastics, and sustainability to children at six elementary schools. In August, they will deliver a report on their findings and their implications on a planned plastics use behavior change campaign.
New Economic Models
We are told to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But efforts at limiting plastic waste are falling short. Part of the problem is that most efforts fall under the “reuse” or “recycle” parts of the three R’s. Arguably though, “reduce” is the most important. We visited and met with advocates and entrepreneurs across greater-Accra who are working to shift behaviors and sustainably create value out of waste. This is an important move toward reducing our reliance on single use plastics and developing more circular economies, where waste is minimized and old products are cycled back into the creation of new ones.
Trashy Bags is a social enterprise that collects the used drinking water sachets and turns them into a durable plastic “fabric” used to make backpacks, purses, picnic blankets, and other gear.
Mckingtorch is another social enterprise that is working on raising awareness about plastic recycling and is developing products manufactured out of waste sachets and bottles. They already produce recycled plastic school desks and are testing roofing panels and other products.
Coliba is a recycling business that pays a premium for consumer-gathered plastic waste at multiple collection points across greater-Accra. Their innovative approach uses mobile phone apps to make recycling as easy and efficient as possible. They also conduct and support education and awareness programming.
Akooshi is a social enterprise that converts discarded coconut shells into beautiful and useful products such as jewelry, buttons, soap dishes, and containers. This reduces coconut waste and the reliance on plastic products.
People Power!
We are listening to the people who are most impacted by the problem, like local fishermen and business-owners, and the other knowledge-bearers in Ghana: university professors, environmental advocates, and community development experts. We are working with our partners to develop impactful and culturally-sensitive projects that protect marine life and ecosystems–especially the turtles! and improve the livelihood of people living along the coast. Our approach aims to protect the people and the planet through economic incentives, public education, and behavior change campaigns. For example, we are partnering with Turtle Up on research to gather baseline data on plastics use and recycling in order to gauge the effectiveness of future efforts.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ both clearly articulate the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues and the need for holistic, comprehensive approaches to sustainability. The case of plastic waste in Ghana is a clear example of the need for such an approach. We all have a human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. It will require social justice and environmental protection and equitable and sustainable economies to reach the shared future we aspire to achieve.
Tony Talbott is an adjunct faculty member in UD’s Human Rights Center and Director of Advocacy who also co-leads the anti-trafficking nonprofit Abolition Ohio.