In DR Congo, some abandon fishing to trawl for plastic waste • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Plastic Pollution: The accumulation of non-biodegradable waste in the Congo River.
• Microplastics: Small plastic particles resulting from the degradation of larger waste, which enter the aquatic food chain.
• Waste Management Crisis: The systemic failure to process urban refuse in Kinshasa.
• Economic Adaptation: The shift in local livelihoods from traditional fishing to waste collection for recycling.

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The Crisis of the Congo River

The Congo River, historically a vital source of sustenance for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is facing an ecological and economic crisis near the capital, Kinshasa. The river’s ecosystem is being severely degraded by the influx of urban waste, including plastic bottles and nappies, which are swept into the water from city streets. This pollution has effectively driven fish away from the city center, rendering traditional fishing practices increasingly difficult and unproductive.

Waste Statistics and Environmental Impact

Kinshasa, a sprawling metropolis of over 17 million people, generates between 700 and 1,000 tons of waste daily. The infrastructure for waste management is critically insufficient, with less than 20% of this waste being properly treated. Consequently, the vast majority of the city's refuse is dumped directly into the Congo River.

Environmental research highlights the long-term dangers of this practice:

• Microplastic Formation: As plastic waste breaks down in the river, it creates microplastics.
• Food Chain Contamination: These microplastics are ingested by fish, introducing synthetic pollutants into the local food chain and posing potential health risks to the population.

Economic Shift: From Fishing to "Plastic Harvesting"

The decline in fish populations has forced local fishermen to pivot their economic activities. Many have abandoned traditional fishing in favor of collecting floating plastic waste, which they sell to recycling companies.

• Financial Viability: For many, this new trade is more profitable than fishing. One fisherman noted, "Yesterday, I sold plastic for 70,000 Congolese francs, and sometimes I even sell up to 100,000."
• Survival Strategy: The reliance on plastic collection has become a necessary survival mechanism, as the river no longer provides enough fish to support the local community.

Policy and Enforcement Challenges

Despite the existence of a 2017 ban on plastic bags and bottles, the environmental situation continues to deteriorate. The primary issue is not the lack of legislation, but rather weak enforcement. The disconnect between policy and reality on the ground allows the continuous flow of waste into the river, perpetuating the cycle of pollution.

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Synthesis and Conclusion

The situation in Kinshasa serves as a stark example of how urban mismanagement directly impacts natural resources and local livelihoods. The Congo River has transitioned from a source of food to a repository for urban waste, forcing a desperate economic adaptation among the local population. While recycling provides a temporary income stream for fishermen, it does not address the root cause: the failure to manage the 700–1,000 tons of daily waste produced by the city. Without stricter enforcement of existing bans and the development of robust waste treatment infrastructure, the ecological health of the river and the safety of the food chain remain in jeopardy.