“The future has already begun. And we are all responsible for it,” Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. The only hope for a better “tomorrow” or just a “tomorrow” is the protection of the environment and our biodiversity’s.
Marine life, is suffering from the irreparable damage caused by the chemical pollution of the waters and the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped yearly in the oceans. With reports showing that by 2050 the pollution of fish will be outnumbered by dumped plastic in the waters. To paint a clearer picture, 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. “In terms of plastic, 8.3 million tons are discarded in the sea yearly. Of which, 236,000 are ingestible micro plastics that marine creatures mistake for food.”
In Kenya the Eco-World Recycling Centre has been actively recycling waste in Watamu. By promoting good waste disposal and growing the community’s wealth through job creation. The centre and Watamu Marine Association has received a donation of 7.2 million Kenyan shillings through their partnership with CocaCola foundation. Of which the funding will go towards the purchase of plastic recycling machines and protective gear for the workers.
“This project called Empowering Women and Youth through the circular economy. Creates plastic value chains, jobs and incomes for more than 500 women and youth in the county. Currently we are collecting 20 tonnes of plastic a month. With the machinery through this partnership will be targeting 50 tonnes of plastics in Mombasa and Kilifi county’s,” Steve Trot project manager Watamu Marine Association (WMA).
