From Plastic Waste to Floods: how reusable bags can save our cities

In our rapidly growing cities, the connection between single-use plastic bags and issues like devastating floods, rising pollution levels, or even the hidden consumption of plastics in our bodies is often overlooked.

Yet, this connection is both real and dangerous. The Plastic Footprint Reduction Project, which focuses on tackling plastic waste in urban areas like the Accra Metropolitan Area, emphasizes that using reusable bags instead of single-use plastic is not just a minor step toward sustainability—it’s a crucial action. This shift could significantly reduce the risk of floods, protect public health, and mitigate the negative impact on livelihoods.

Plastics have become an integral part of modern urban life, especially in fast-growing cities. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste are generated worldwide, much of it from packaging and disposable items like plastic bags. In Accra, approximately 16% of the daily waste is plastic, with an astonishing 3,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated every day. Unfortunately, only a small fraction, about 1%, is recovered or recycled. The remaining plastic waste often ends up in landfills, drainage systems, and natural ecosystems, causing widespread environmental damage.

One of the most visible consequences of plastic pollution in urban areas is the heightened risk of flooding. When plastic waste clogs drains and waterways, it prevents rainwater from flowing freely, leading to severe flooding even with minimal rainfall. Accra has experienced frequent floods in recent years, partly due to plastic waste obstructing the city's drainage systems. These floods not only cause environmental damage but also have serious economic consequences. Homes and businesses are often destroyed, leaving many families, particularly those in low-income areas, struggling as their livelihoods are disrupted. This cycle of poverty and vulnerability deepens with each flood, trapping communities in difficult circumstances.

Beyond the immediate impact of flooding, plastic pollution poses serious health risks due to microplastics. As plastic breaks down into tiny particles, these microplastics find their way into our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Research has shown that the average person consumes the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic each week through these invisible particles. Once ingested, these plastics can accumulate in human organs, including the brain and reproductive systems, potentially leading to long-term health issues like toxicity and inflammation.

Plastic waste also undermines livelihoods in more subtle yet equally damaging ways. Ghana’s fishing industry, a crucial economic sector, suffers greatly from plastic pollution in rivers and oceans. Marine ecosystems are disrupted, fish stocks dwindle, and coastal communities, especially fishermen, face dwindling incomes. The loss of revenue from affected industries like fishing, farming, and tourism creates a broader economic strain that reverberates through entire communities.

The encouraging news is that a solution exists, and it is simpler than many might think adopting reusable bags instead of single-use plastics. The Plastic Footprint Reduction Project highlights that small changes, like opting for a reusable bag, can have a substantial impact. These bags are not only durable and practical but also significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and drainage systems, helping to prevent flooding and curb pollution.

Each of us has a role to play in this fight against plastic pollution. Simple actions like using reusable bags, avoiding single-use plastics, educating others about the impact of plastic waste, and participating in local clean-up efforts can make a significant difference. Though the scale of the plastic crisis may seem daunting, it is important to remember that collective small actions can lead to substantial change. By choosing reusable bags, we are not only protecting the environment but also safeguarding our health, preventing floods, and preserving livelihoods.

The Plastic Footprint Reduction Project remains dedicated to promoting these small but meaningful changes, believing that when adopted widely, they will have a transformative impact in Ghana and beyond. Now is the time for each of us to take responsibility, make conscious choices, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier future for ourselves and future generations.

By: Andrews Aibi Junior,

Lead Convenor, Alliance for Sustainability Education (ASEc)

andrews@asec-earth.org