Plastic Pollution | Scarlet Vielliard | TEDxAga Khan HS Kampala Youth

Key Concepts

• Plastic Pollution
• Environmental Degradation
• Climate Change
• Biodegradable Plastics
• Recycling Systems (Pant System)
• Particulate Matter
• CO2 Emissions
• "Cavveras" (likely referring to single-use plastic bags or similar items)
• Water Hyacinth

Environmental Crisis and its Manifestations

The speaker begins by recounting a personal experience of severe flooding on an island in Denmark, which resulted in widespread plastic pollution, corroded roads, and damaged houses. This event served as a stark realization of the planet's degradation due to plastic. The severity of plastic pollution is further illustrated by its presence in popular children's movies:

• The Lorax: Depicts deforestation and industrialization leading to air, water, and land pollution, with a cautionary note about potentially living on "fake air" in the future.
• Ice Age: Continental Drift (Fourth Installment): Highlights the impact of climate change and global warming on ice melt, leading to animal extinction. Specifically, it's mentioned that around 600 polar bears die annually due to melting ice, and with an estimated 31,000 polar bears remaining, extinction is predicted within 50 years if current trends continue.
• WALL-E: Portrays humans abandoning Earth due to excessive pollution and waste, rendering it unsustainable for life. This scenario is presented as a potential future for our planet.

Global Plastic Projections and Ugandan Context

A significant statistic is presented: by 2050, scientists predict there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. The focus then shifts to Uganda's plastic pollution crisis.

• Uganda's Plastic Production: According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda generates approximately 600 tons of plastic per day.
• Waste Management Breakdown:
  • 79% is disposed of in landfills or the environment.
  • 12% is incinerated.
  • Only 9% is recycled.
• Environmental Impact of Incineration: Burning all of Uganda's plastic waste would release an equivalent of 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions and particulate matter.
• Particulate Matter Levels: A "good amount" of particulate matter released over 24 hours is cited as 12.5. In contrast, Uganda's daily release is 102, indicating a significantly higher level of pollution.

Failed Attempts and Proposed Solutions for Uganda

The speaker notes past unsuccessful efforts to curb plastic pollution in Uganda.

• Dr. Joe Kino's Perspective: Dr. Joe Kino is quoted stating that Uganda has not made sufficient efforts to reduce pollution, particularly from "cavveras" (likely referring to single-use plastic bags) and plastic bottles. He defines "cavveras" as a chemical, a "poly," with a disintegration rate of 500 to 1,000 years.
• International Precedents: Rwanda has banned "cavveras," and Tanzania and Kenya are in the process of doing so. Uganda's efforts are described as minimal.

The speaker proposes two solutions for Uganda:

1. The "Pant" System (Deposit-Refund Scheme):

   • Origin: This system is used in Denmark.
   • Mechanism: Consumers are "bribed" into recycling bottles. For example, if a bottle of water costs 500 shillings, an additional 500 shillings is charged, making the total 1,000 shillings. Upon returning the empty bottle to the store, the consumer receives the extra 500 shillings back.
   • Rationale: The speaker believes this incentivizes people to pick up and return bottles for recycling, increasing recycling rates.

2. Biodegradable Plastic from Water Hyacinth:

   • Problem: "Cavveras" have a significant impact in Uganda, especially in markets.
   • Innovation: Parts of the world are developing 100% biodegradable plastic from seaweed.
   • Ugandan Application: While Uganda is not near the sea, it has Lake Victoria, which contains the water hyacinth plant. It is scientifically proven that plastic can be created from this plant that is 100% biodegradable and decomposes in just 6 months.
   • Recommendation: The speaker advocates for the introduction of this biodegradable plastic in Uganda, suggesting it could be the future for "careers" (likely a misstatement for "cavveras" or similar plastic items) and plastic bottles.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by presenting their ideas for addressing Uganda's plastic pollution crisis, emphasizing the need for change and highlighting the potential of deposit-refund schemes and biodegradable plastics derived from local resources like the water hyacinth.