World Environment Day 2025: Putting an end to plastic pollution

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OPINION

By Howard Mwesigwa

As the world commemorates World Environment Day 2025 under the theme "Putting an End to Plastic Pollution", Uganda stands at such a critical juncture.

Our rivers, lakes, wetlands and urban centres bear the brunt of a crisis.

From the shores of Lake Victoria to the streets of Kampala, to the bitter memories of the Kiteezi landfill disaster, discarded plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers choke ecosystems, threaten livelihoods, and endanger public health.

Uganda generates approximately 600 metric tonnes of plastic waste daily. This translates to about 800,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually. 

However, only about 40% of this plastic waste is collected and disposed of properly, while the remaining 60% ends up in drainage systems and water bodies.

Across the nation, plastic bags, bottles, and packaging clog drainage channels and waterways, contributing to flooding and soil degradation.

Marine life in our lakes suffers as fish ingest microplastics, which then enter the human food chain. A carcinogenic ticking time bomb!

Moreover, plastic pollution is not merely an environmental issue—it is a public health and socio-economic one.

In Uganda, where over 70% of the population depends directly on agriculture and natural resources for survival, the persistence of single-use plastics has become a silent saboteur.

It clogs soils and water sources, reducing agricultural productivity, and tragically, it suffocates biodiversity in ecosystems already burdened by deforestation and climate change.

Despite government efforts, including the ban on polythene bags under 30 microns, implementation gaps and weak enforcement have allowed plastic pollution to surge.

Informal waste collection systems, limited recycling infrastructure, and public apathy further compound the problem. However, World Environment Day reminds us that transformation is possible—if it is people-led, policy-driven, and innovation-powered.

Not all hope is gone! This year, we can and indeed should renew our commitment to beating plastic pollution.

The government must reinforce the plastic ban with stricter penalties for violators while supporting alternatives like biodegradable packaging.

Municipalities should invest in waste collection systems to prevent plastic from polluting water sources. Local businesses and consumers must undertake a paradigm shift to reusable bags, bottles, and containers.

Entrepreneurs ought to explore eco-friendly packaging made from banana fibers, sisal, bamboo, or paper—materials that can easily be sourced locally.

Additionally, grassroots efforts, such as community clean-ups around the lakes and rivers or in urban centres, can raise awareness while restoring the environment.

Schools and youth groups should lead plastic recycling projects to cultivate a culture of sustainability.

Manufacturers and retailers must take responsibility by reducing plastic production and adopting extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes to collect and recycle their waste.

We need to scale ongoing efforts. Communities across Uganda are already showing the way. Youth-led initiatives are turning plastic waste into pavers, eco-bricks, and even fuel.

Local governments are exploring bylaws to regulate plastic use, and civil society is mobilising campaigns that blend advocacy with education.

We already have bold national frameworks like the National Environment Act, Cap.181 and the National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations 2020.

We now need stricter enforcement and a coordinated agency that integrates circular economy principles, incentivises alternatives to plastic, and holds polluters accountable.

Schools and media must lead a cultural shift away from the “use and toss” mentality. Businesses must embrace green packaging and invest in waste recovery systems. And every Ugandan must understand, the plastic we throw away never really goes away!

This World Environment Day, let us commit to ending plastic pollution—not just through policies, but through individual choices and actions. Every Ugandan can contribute by refusing single-use plastics, reusing containers & bags, and recycling whenever possible.

The future of Uganda’s environment depends on the choices we make today. Together, we can turn the tide against plastic pollution and safeguard our land, water, and health for generations to come.

The writer is a Team Leader – Energy, Environment & Sustainability with Kalikumutima & Co. Advocates

howardmwesigwa25@gmail.com