On the occasion of World Environment Day, several women from Kinshasa gave their opinion on the fight against plastic pollution that is rampant in Kinshasa. While opinions are divided on the issue, some testimonials highlight tips for minimizing the use of plastic.
Madeleine, for example, opted for reusable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging, alternatives that are increasingly available in supermarkets. Gabrielle, meanwhile, has replaced small plastic bottles with canisters to store water, in addition to using biodegradable bags instead of disposable plastic bags.
However, other voices speak out in favor of the moderate use of plastic rather than its total eradication. For Anicette, plastic has an important role in the preservation and presentation of products, and eradicating it could cause difficulties on the market. For Béatrice, a vegetable seller, it is rather necessary to offer intermediate solutions, because some people live from the sale of plastic bags.
Finally, some engage in the recycling of plastic bottles to reduce pollution. This is the case of Pélagie, which sells these bottles to customers who reuse them, and thus encourages the collection of plastic bottles in the city.
Although the fight against plastic waste has been underway for a long time, the implementation of the government decision prohibiting the production, import, marketing and use of bags and other plastic packaging in Kinshasa is not yet effective, except in supermarkets. In the meantime, the capital’s rivers continue to be clogged with excess plastic waste.
As an alternative, it is advisable to favor the use of biodegradable, reusable and environmentally friendly packaging, and to resort to the recycling of plastic materials to reduce waste. Thus, everyone can play an essential role in the fight against plastic pollution, and thus contribute to the improvement of the environment.