An environmental activist has cautioned South Sudanese against random littering of plastic wastes saying the practice may lead to long-term health hazards to people and animals.

Kezia Kayanga made the remarks as South Sudan joins the world to celebrate World Environment Day under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

Kezia, an environmental activist, who is also the Sales and Commercial Manager at Eye Media said plastic waste take hundreds of years to decompose.

She added that plastics can block water drainage channels leading to floods and can also affect the ecosystem in the water as well agricultural activities.

“The impact of plastic waste to the soil is that it stops water from flowing. The natural movement of water helps us in facilitating our agricultural activities,” she said.

Kezia further advices South Sudanese against throwing plastic bottles on the streets.

“People have this tendency of throwing plastic out of the car they throw the plastic outside the streets. I always tell people that if the plastics look bad in your car, in your table, house why will it look good in the streets?”

“If you look around the streets, it is littered, but how do we reduce it, reach your destination and dispose it.”

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

It is supported by non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.

According to the UN Environment Program, plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change.

This could directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production capabilities and social well-being, it says.