Combating Marine Plastic Pollution in West Africa: The PROTEGO Project

Marine plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting the Gulf of Guinea, with significant contributions from West African countries like Ghana and Nigeria. Rapid economic development, population growth, and changing consumption patterns have led to increased use of single-use plastics, overwhelming existing waste management systems. The PROTEGO project aims to address this challenge by reducing the inflow of plastic waste into aquatic environments, thereby protecting marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable development in the region.

The PROTEGO project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) under the Grant Programme against Marine Plastic Pollution. adelphi research gemeinnützige GmbH is the main implementing organization, working in close collaboration with local and international partners. Local implementation partners are the Ghana Cleaner Production Center (GNCPC), Plastic Punch (PP), WASTE Africa and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC). These partners bring valuable expertise in waste management, circular economy, and environmental conservation, ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of the project.

Key project activities are:

• Gap Analysis and Policy Recommendations: Conducting comprehensive desk research and expert interviews to identify gaps in current policies, institutional setups, and financing mechanisms related to marine plastic pollution. This analysis will provide tangible recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
• Capacity Building: Implementing training programmes for national and local policymakers to enhance their understanding of marine plastic pollution issues and showcase international best practices. This will equip them to operationalize existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and other waste management processes.
• Pilot Projects: Developing and implementing innovative solutions to collect, sort, recycle, and reuse plastic waste. These pilots will be scaled up and replicated across the region.
• Awareness Raising: Engaging citizens through educational campaigns, beach clean-ups, and citizen science initiatives to promote behavioral change and increase awareness of marine plastic pollution prevention.

Through these efforts, adelphi aims to create a sustainable impact by strengthening waste management systems, integrating the informal sector into formal value chains, and fostering a cleaner, healthier environment for communities in Ghana and Nigeria.