A plastic waste disposed on River Nile around Bor dockyard, Jonglei State before the clean up campaign on Monday, 15th Jan 2024. Photo: Sheila Ponni | Adia Jildo.

An environmental activist in Jonglei State has called on the authorities to ban single-use plastics, saying it is contaminating the river Nile and the environment.

Single-use plastics are items made of plastic and are designed to be used once and then disposed of.

They are commonly used in the country for packaging products, such as plastic bags, water bottles, and food packaging.

“People are governed by the policies whenever it is put in place, they must be respected what I mean is that the government has the power to ban single-use plastic.” Lueth Reng Lueth, Executive Director of Community Against Plastic South Sudan said.

According to him, this can be achieved if the government enforces laws and policies that govern the environment, including protecting the river Nile from contamination.

Lueth said authorities should ban the single use of plastics and ensure that those disposing of waste into the river Nile are fined.

“Whenever you throw a plastic, the government must question why you throw the plastic and there should be a fine for a person who throws the plastic, this is what the government should do now.”

“Another thing the government should do is to carry out the state campaign, call the local population especially those who are living along the river on how to manage the waste because if you don’t know where to deposit the plastic waste, you have to refuse it.”  He added.

The Community Against Plastic Waste South Sudan, in partnership with InfoNile, launched a cleanup exercise on Monday to remove plastics disposed around the Bor dockyard.

During the exercise, women, young people, and other community members in Bor town were sensitized on the importance of protecting the river Nile from the environmental implications of single-use plastics that are disposed into the river.

“The call of the campaign is to inform the local population to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the river so that they can also diverse some of the solutions.” Lueth Reng Lueth told reporters in Bor on Monday.  

“Some of the possible solutions that they can also put in place is to minimize buying plastic bags.”

“They should seek alternative means because those women who sell in those areas, whenever a customer comes, they have to give a plastic bag to the customer to carry the fish that they sell.”

“So, the purpose of the campaign is to tell these women to reduce their single-use plastic waste consumption so the alternative will come from the government.”

“We have to tell the government to put the plastic dustbin along the river so that whenever there is single-use plastic waste, they have to be dumped and the government come and collect, this is the best alternative we can give right now,”  Lueth stressed.

Bor dockyard in Jonglei state serves as one of the arrival and departure ports on the river Nile in South Sudan where goods heading to different destinations are loaded and offloaded.

It has attracted many local populations to set up small businesses targeting travellers and those waiting to depart for Juba, Malakal, or cross to the neighbouring Lakes State.

Lueth said, “The same water where they dumped the plastic is the water that they drink.”

He believes that plastic takes a long time to break down and breaks into what he refers to as microplastics.

“There is no borehole nearby so those who eat from the restaurants drink the water that they bring direct from the river and this is the fact.”

“Plastic breaks down, it takes time to break down into microplastics and these microplastic become very tinning when it has broken down into those microplastics, it mixes with water and I assume those who drink from that water also takes microplastics along with the water because it has taken years now.”

“Bor has been a town since and these plastics have been entering into water ever since.”

“We assume, the plastic that enters into the water is breaking down into microplastics and our people are taking those microplastics when they are not knowing it.”

During the campaign on Monday, locals who took part in the exercise were seen carrying posters with the message “ban single-use plastic bags,” while others had posters reading “Change your habit, stop using plastics.”

According to the Community Against Plastic Waste South Sudan, the River Nile faces a threat from single-use plastics resulting from human activities, which puts increasing pressure on the aquatic ecosystem.

The agency expresses concern saying if these practices continue, it will affect the species living in the Nile River.

“We appreciate the work you have done, and we, the communities here express our gratitude,” said Bor town resident Achol Makuach during the Bor dockyard clean-up campaign.

He admits that it is part of their responsibility to ensure waste is not disposed of into the river.

This according to her will prevent potential health hazards to those depending on the Nile water for survival.

“We no longer want the waste in our home, and we appreciate the company undertaking this significant task.”

“Your efforts have demonstrated how to honour and respect us, ensure this waste is removed, and prevent potential health hazards. It is true that this contamination can lead to sickness, particularly in the areas where children reside, and where people use the water for drinking, showering, and washing clothes since this is where we get our water from.”

“Your work has safeguarded our well-being, and we are thankful for your dedication.” She added.

Rebecca Abit Dau is another resident of Bor town, and she agrees.

The waste in the river contaminates living things now that you have shown us how to keep the river clean, we are grateful for saving the lives of the creatures in the water.”

“If we obtain something beneficial from this water, we will be thankful to you for that. We appreciate your guidance on what to do, and providing us with instructions to follow.” She stated.

Experts believe that local communities have a role in reducing the dumping of single-use plastics into the river Nile and promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living.

This can be achieved by involving the community in decision-making processes related to waste management and environmental conservation.

Other approaches include organizing regular clean-up campaigns along the banks of the river Nile and involving community members, schools, and local organizations in clean-up activities to instil a sense of responsibility and ownership.

Elijah Nhial Amal, who took part in the exercise, says he wants to see the Bor dockyard clean from single-use plastics.

“We are here to clean the riverside these plastics are here so the reason why we are here is to clean the river which is our lifeline, it is to protect us from other diseases.”