The £1.8m challenge to tackle plastic waste in Sub-Saharan Africa

by

In the third and final strand of the Afri-Plastics Challenge, the UK-based innovation foundation Nesta Challenges is to award £1.8 million (€2.1 million) to creative campaigns, tools and interventions that tackle the problem of plastic waste in sub-Saharan Africa.

More than 17 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated in Africa annually with only 12% being recycled. The remaining 88% is either burned, buried or dumped, with significant quantities entering the rivers and oceans.

This third strand of the Challenge, entitled Promoting Change, follows July's Accelerating Growth strand which looked for new innovations in the management of plastic pollution, and the Creating Solutions strand, which was launched in October 2020 with the aim of seeking innovative ways to reduce or eliminate the use of plastic across the continent.

Read more: 20 companies produce 55% of global plastic waste, research reveals

Promoting Change focuses on public engagement strategies to promote behavioural change in individuals and communities. The challenge is to create programmes, campaigns, tools and other creative interventions, such as incentives, gamification, stimuli and storytelling to transmit the message, that change behaviour and contribute to the empowerment of women and girls.

When the challenge is over, the best solutions will be those which have generated evidence of a change in behaviour in one or more of the four focus areas:

  • The reduction of hazardous waste.
  • The segregation of plastic waste.
  • The choice of reusable options.
  • Refuse single-use plastic.

In April 2022, 30 finalists will be awarded £5,000 (€5,850) to aid further development of their concepts, before judging in June. 15 finalists will be chosen, and each awarded £50,000 for continued project development. The three winning teams will be selected in March 2023 and each awarded £250,000.

In addition to the financial support, Nesta Challenges and industry experts will provide the teams with capacity building expertise to support the development of their ideas.

Constance Agyeman, Director of International Development, Nesta Challenges said: "Plastic pollution is a terrible and ever-growing threat to the environment and health of sub-Saharan African communities. Sustainable consumer choices will make the difference between disaster and success in taking on the millions of tonnes of plastic being dumped, buried and burnt each year across the continent.

"Not only do we need innovation to minimise the quantity of plastic being produced and to better manage plastic waste after it is used, but the key to the long-term success of tackling plastic pollution will be people and the choices they make – creative communications that shift behaviour and attitudes around plastic use are essential."

Read more: What Is The Human Cost Of The Green & Digital Transitions?

The Afri-Plastics Challenge is funded by the Government of Canada and is part of the $100 million Marine Litter Mitigation Fund, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the G7 Leaders' Summit in 2018.

Applications to the Afri-Plastics Challenge: Promoting Change strand are still open. Applicants must have a new or early-stage idea focussed on sub-Saharan Africa. Entries are welcomed from registered businesses, NGOs, community groups and individuals. Entrants from outside of sub-Saharan Africa must be in partnership with a sub-Saharan African lead applicant. The deadline for entries is 16 February 2022 at 12 noon (GMT). More information can be found and applications can be made on the Afri-Plastics Challenge website.

Back to Homepage

Back to Chemicals & Biochemicals