Sustainable Waste Management - Serving People & the Environment

ICENECDEV is Combating Marine Plastic Litter and Micro plastic as part of Clean Seas Campaign along the West Coast of Cameroon

It aims to increase awareness and actions of the need to reduce marine litter and the general public's awareness of the impact litter has on the environment along the coastal village communities along the west coast of Cameroon (Isobe, Idenau, Etissah, Batoke,Bakingli)

Each year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, the equivalent of a full garbage truck every minute. Between 60 and 90% of the litter that accumulates on shorelines, the sea surface and the sea floor is made up of plastic, the most common items being cigarette butts, bags, remains of fishing gear, and food and beverage containers.

The consequences are severe: marine litter harms over 600 marine species (15% of which are endangered), it impacts on coastal economies, and can enter the human food chain through fish consumption. In the last 20 years, the proliferation of microbeads and single-use plastics has made the problem even more pressing.

Land-based sources of pollution have a major impact on planetary health and on the oceans, evidenced by the development of a Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA). Growing populations, increasingly intensive and large-scale agriculture, and booming urbanization mean a growing amount of wastewater discharge into aquatic ecosystems and nutrient runoff to waterways. Together, these lead to eutrophication, toxic algae blooms, greater incidence of water-borne disease, lowered resilience of ecosystems to environmental change, and harm to species, including humans.

ICENECDEV's Actions to Reduce Marine Litter in Cameroon

" ICENECDEV and Partners are committed in tackling of marine litter by suggesting and recommending a national collection for plastic waste
" Promoting community based organizations and plastic companies to participate in Regular beach clean-ups Activities in Cameroon.
" Engaging Companies Business and shops to inform customers on the negative environmental impact of plastics Carrier Bags and micro plastics.
" ICENECDEV supports the Ban on micro plastics by the Cameroon Government
" Promote research and community investigation on plastics and waste
" Establish an informal Network to Combat Marine litter in Cameroon