Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with animals, plants, and human life being affected by waste mismanagement. A report from the UNDP Lesotho states that in Maseru alone, around , tonnes of waste is being generated per year.
Plastic bags and bottles in particular are the main source of pollution in Lesotho. Littering and illegal dumping on the ground and in water sources is affecting and causing harm to the environment for all living things. A study conducted by the Central University of Technology in the Free State showed that the main cause of dumping and litter in areas such as Botha-Bothe, Hlotse, Maputsoe, Berea and Maseru, is the lack of waste collection services.
The study recommended that the dumpsites need to be upgraded and properly managed since it was also discovered that the studied disposal sites do not meet the minimum requirements for dumpsites or landfills. Risk management, safety protocols as well as increased public awareness need to be put in place to further minimise the impact of waste on health and the environment.
The burning of waste and backyard burying had been identified as a contributor to gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. However, through local initiatives with different partners, Lesotho is taking steady action to reduce plastic waste. Another notable initiative is that of Pheha Plastic. Founded by Limpho Thoahlane in , Pheha Plastic is a non-profit recycling company and environmental awareness centre.
Limpho and her team recycle plastic waste by shaping it into products like floor tiles that are sold at retail stores. Their aim is to become a major player in plastic waste management for a greener Lesotho, while educating and inspiring communities into repurposing plastic into tradeable commodities. In the same way that one can repurpose plastic, one can help curb the spread of plastic waste by following a few simple principles:. As evident, plastic pollution affects the overall eco-system where people, animals and plants live.
