Managing plastic waste along the coast is proofing to be one of the most difficult for poeople around the globe. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) , 8 billion tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually. This has a negative impact on the marine species as over 1 million marine species die due to plastic pollution each year, the UN warns.

In 2015, the Gambia government put a ban on the manufacturing, importation and use or sale of plastic bags in the country. Individuals found violating this regulation were liable to face penalties such as arrests or even prison sentences. However, progress in fully enforcing the ban has been challenging. The recent raid by the National plastic raid Environment Agency confiscated over 8.1 tons of plastic bags across the country. This shocking figure reveals the high prevalence of the use of plastic in the country.

A group of individuals in the Gambia have taken it upon themselves to protect our beloved coastlines from the clutches of plastic waste. They are armed with determination and a deep love for the ocean, passionate about making a difference. With gloves and bags in hand, they pick up every piece of trash they find. From plastics to abandoned fishing gears.

The Gambia Environment Alliance is one of the organizations fighting to protect the coastline. Muhammed Hydara, the Secretary of the Gambia environment Alliance says they embark on beach clean-up exercise along the coast of different communities emphasizing that, keeping our beaches clean helps to protect marine species.

“The importance of beach clean-up helps us mitigate the number of marine debris in the shoreline, to beautify our beaches to attract more tourists and for Gambians to enjoy and have a good breeze. The effects of Ocean pollution are that it will create a dangerous impact to marine resources especially for Gambia that highly depends on marine resources. Beach clean-up is important to make sure that that we have clean beaches. We have all the communities involve in this exercise to make sure we protect our environment from degrading”, Hydara stated.

Coastal Plastic Free is a community-based organization that have rallied to implementing plastic reduction initiatives. But their work doesn't end with cleanup. Together, they are creating a wave of change, inspiring others to take action and protect our fragile coastal ecosystems.

“Plastics has cause series of problems to marine lives, in the river banks and also in the oceans. As a result of this, I decided to form Coastal Plastic Free, which engages in plastic clean-ups on the coast. We are making immense contribution to reducing plastic waste in the Gambia”, Sulayman Darboe, founder, Coastal Plastic Free. 

Hassan Ndow is the president of the Beach Bar Association and also a volunteer. Hassan recalls cleaning up beaches back since 2015, highlighting the importance of the clean-up activities.

“I have long been on the beach and I have not been seeing the authorities do any waste collection on the beach. I take up the responsibility to be cleaning the beach. I stated from Bijilo to Brufut”, Hassan states.  

These organizations work to tackle the plastic pollution problems but their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Through social media and online platforms, they reach far and wide, motivating individuals across the globe to join the fight against plastic waste. With each beach they clean, each mind they enlighten, they are paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future for our coastlines.