STEPP (Sustainable Transition to end Plastic Pollution)

The sustainable transition to end plastic pollution involves a combination of reducing plastic consumption and waste, increasing recycling and repurposing of plastic materials, and developing alternative materials. This can be achieved through a combination of policy changes, consumer education and awareness campaigns, and investment in research and development of new technologies. Some specific actions that can be taken include implementing plastic bag bans and fees, increasing recycling programs and infrastructure, and encouraging the use of reusable containers and packaging. Additionally, companies can work to reduce their plastic use and improve their recycling efforts, while consumers can make conscious choices to reduce their own plastic consumption.

The world is facing an urgent urban challenge — we need to transition to more equitable, sustainable and resilient cities.

In 2019, the world generated 300 million tonnes of plastic waste. Cities in the global south are disproportionately impacted. Many low income countries have very limited waste disposal infrastructure and inadequate management of plastic waste is exacerbated by the import of waste from high income countries. Plastic waste respects no borders and we are now witnessing ubiquitous global plastic pollution, on land, in the air and in rivers and oceans. 

About the project

The aim of this project is to identify opportunities to tackle the problem of urban plastic pollution, focusing on two case study sites in low income countries — Nairobi, Kenya .

It is an interdisciplinary and international collaboration drawing contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, including community activists, local governments, businesses and academia. Sustainable solutions will only be effective if they can be implemented in the real world.

This is a project that is Supported by University Of Portsmouth.