“I recently met with several foreign leaders in South Korea, and they shared their criticism about Bali’s beaches. They told me, ‘Your Excellency, I just returned from Bali. The beaches are so dirty now. Bali is no longer as beautiful,’” Prabowo said. 

“We should take these remarks as constructive feedback and work together to address the issue,” he added.

Within days, Bali authorities launched large-scale clean-up operations across several beaches, including Kuta and Kedonganan, deploying police, military personnel, students and volunteers. Several tonnes of waste were cleared in a single day.

Bali Police spokesperson Ariasandy said public participation was essential to protecting marine ecosystems and sustaining tourism, a key pillar of the island’s economy.

A special task force was also formed for Kuta Beach, designed to respond rapidly to tidal waste washing ashore.

Big picture

However, these beach clean-ups only highlight a wider national challenge. 

According to government data, Indonesia generated about 31.9 million tonnes of waste in 2023. While roughly two-thirds was managed, more than 11 million tonnes remained unmanaged.

Limited landfill capacity, rapid population growth and weak waste sorting have worsened the problem. In Bali alone, nearly all landfill sites are close to full, while only about 48 per cent of waste is properly recycled or disposed of.

Plastic waste is a major concern, as the Indonesian Institute of Sciences estimated Indonesia releases more than 600,000 tonnes of plastic into the ocean each year, threatening marine biodiversity and coral reef systems.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme , Indonesia is the world’s second largest plastic polluter, trailing only China. Its plastic problem is so bad that an estimated 10 billion plastic carry bags are said to be released into the environment each year.

What Indonesia is doing

In response, authorities have begun tightening regulations. Bali has banned single-use plastic bags, straws, cups and styrofoam across businesses, schools and government offices, and restricted the sale of small bottled water.

Waste sorting is now mandatory in many sectors, with organic waste required to be composted and recyclable materials separated to reduce pressure on landfills.

Beyond clean-ups and bans, Indonesia is turning to technology. The government plans to expand waste-to-energy facilities, which convert rubbish into electricity, especially in areas producing more than 1,000 tonnes of waste daily.

Problem solved by 2027?

India has set an ambitious target to significantly resolve the country’s waste problem by 2027 , with Prabowo calling towering landfill sites “embarrassing” for a major economy.

Pilot projects are already underway. In Banten province, waste is being processed into refuse-derived fuel and co-fired with coal at power plants, cutting landfill volumes and creating local jobs.

Indonesia ultimately aims to shift toward a circular economy, treating waste as a resource rather than a burden.

For Bali and other tourism destinations in Indonesia, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhani said beach clean-up drives will now be expanded nationwide under the government’s Clean Tourism Movement.

While challenges remain, Indonesia’s response signals a more coordinated effort to tackle one of its – and perhaps, the world's – most visible problems

The study, which began collecting samples in 2022, found microplastics in every rainwater sample taken across the capital. Contamination levels averaged around 15 particles per square metre per day in coastal areas, showing that the problem is widespread.

BRIN researcher Muhammad Reza Cordova said the most common materials found were polyester from synthetic textiles, nylon, polyethene from plastic bags, polypropylene from packaging, and polybutadiene from vehicle tyres. 

These appeared mainly as fine fibres and small fragments. “If we can reduce excessive plastic use, it would already be a big step - though this requires effort from each of us personally,” said Cordova.

Scientists explained that the process occurs through atmospheric deposition, where lightweight plastic particles are lifted by wind and industrial emissions before being washed down by rain. 

“After the rain stops, the air is practically clean of microplastics. That is the safest time to go outside for activities like walking or exercising because you are breathing cleaner air. However, this effect doesn’t last very long - once surfaces dry, the microplastics will become airborne again, carried by the wind,” Cordova added.

The main contributors to Jakarta’s airborne microplastics include synthetic fabrics, vehicle emissions, degrading plastics in open spaces, and the open burning of plastic waste. 

Cordova said tackling the issue requires both systemic reform and public participation through better waste management and reduced plastic use. 

“What we can do now is mitigation - through campaigns promoting wiser plastic use and healthier lifestyles. Fifty years ago, we lived just fine without relying so heavily on plastic. So why can't we do it now?” he said.

Senegal produces about 250,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste each year, but only 11% is recycled.

“We noticed that every year, tons of plastic bottles are thrown into the wild,” Mbengue said. “Unfortunately, we cannot transform them all. Even if recently there have been many companies active in this area. And these bottles are a threat by nature . They are thrown away and do not disappear,” he told Viory.

“Our main targets are schools, farmers and hospitals,” he said. “For schools, the idea is to create didactic objects that students can use. This will prevent us from importing items such as rulers and other materials used by students. For agriculture, the idea is to make pots for farmers.”

Senegal is ranked among the world’s top contributors to ocean plastic pollution. The West African nation faces pressure to improve waste management.

Kenya is set to gain from recent US tariff increases on some African and Asian countries, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has said. Speaking on Capital FM , Kinyanjui noted that Kenya’s textile exports now enjoy a competitive edge due to lower US tariffs. This gap, he added, could attract companies from countries with higher tariffs, such as South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, to relocate operations to Kenya. Washington imposed a 10% tariff on Kenyan goods, while charging 15% and 30% for Ugandan and South African commodities, respectively. 

Kiambu MPs call for separate recognition from Mt Kenya region

Kiambu County legislators are pushing for the county to be recognised separately from the wider Mt Kenya bloc to secure a larger share of national resources. Speaking at a public forum in Karatu village on August 6, Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia said Kiambu’s high population justifies independent allocation of positions and funds.

Kenya steps up push to host UN global plastics treaty secretariat

Kenya is intensifying its bid to host the secretariat of a planned global plastics treaty at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi. President William Ruto has led the lobbying effort. The country’s delegation, headed by Environment PS Festus Ng’eno, is advocating for a strong treaty addressing chemical additives, problematic plastics and plastic waste. Talks at the resumed Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee session in Geneva run until August 14, with over 3,700 participants from 184 countries. 

Kenya struggling to turn foreign investment into industrial growth

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Kenya is failing to drive industrial growth due to misallocation of funds, a Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) study showed. The report says most FDI bypasses manufacturing, mining and construction, instead going to services like retail, finance, ICT and hospitality. Even in industrial sectors, investment often takes the form of greenfield projects that are slow to deliver results or misaligned with local needs.

Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves fall by $509 million in 3 weeks

Kenya’s official foreign exchange reserves have declined by $509 million (KSh 65.8 billion) in three weeks, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data showed. The reserves fell from $11.2 billion (KSh 1.45 trillion) on July 10 to $10.69 billion (KSh 1.38 trillion) on July 31, largely due to external debt repayments and delays in securing new foreign currency loans. The decline highlights risks from Kenya’s rising public debt, now at KSh 11.51 trillion, with KSh 5.03 trillion owed to external lenders.

A 2024 report published by Ghana's Audit Service stated that the country produces about 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year, of which 9.5% is recycled and the remainder is carelessly disposed of without consideration for the effects on the environment .

The community-led shift has not only improved sanitation but also created economic opportunities for many locals.

“When rain falls like this, the pure water, rubbish, and water bottles are always roaming, and the community always floods , and the gutters always choke,” one resident explained. “But for now, the cleanup has changed everything. Now, in some places, the gutters are always neat,” she told Viory. 

Another community member noted the cultural change in waste disposal habits: “Before, it created a lot of problems in our community. Plastic waste, they put it wherever... maybe gutters, maybe in the taxi, maybe in the trotro [public transport]. They would spread it a lot in the community. But now, I think the initiative they brought is helping us keep the plastic bottles on one side.”

The program also offers a financial lifeline to many low-income earners, especially women and youth who now collect and sell plastic waste to recycling centres.

“After recycling, we have plenty,” said another resident. “Before, the plastic rubbish, we didn’t use it for anything, they don’t sell it. But nowadays, I will go and pick up the rubbish and go and sell it for something. I can take money, I can buy food for myself, I can buy bread and everything. So now the recycling has done well for us to get profit from the pure water rubbish.”

As part of efforts, there is a plan to introduce new regulatory guidelines, developed in partnership with the industrial sector, to shift the country toward reusable and biodegradable materials.

The government is offering incentives to attract investors interested in producing eco-friendly alternatives, hoping to support a broader move toward a green economy that benefits all sectors of society , including vulnerable groups.

The campaign will also include public awareness efforts to inform citizens about the dangers of plastic waste.

Officials say the goal is not only to curb environmental harm but also to create a more inclusive and sustainable economic system.

Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said the transition will take time but is important to safeguard the country’s natural resources, especially marine ecosystems that are suffering from growing levels of plastic pollution.

She emphasised that the new approach would not leave behind low-income groups, as affordability and accessibility are central to the reform process.

The President said the new policy will ban both the importation and production of Styrofoam, which is commonly used for takeaway food packaging across the country.

He explained that the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology will enforce the ban in the coming months, and urged manufacturers and importers to prepare for the transition.

Styrofoam, which is non-biodegradable, is a major contributor to Ghana’s growing plastic waste problem, especially in urban areas.

President Mahama said the ban is part of a broader plan to promote safer, more sustainable alternatives such as paper and aluminium foil.

He acknowledged that the policy may affect food vendors and small businesses that rely on the affordability of Styrofoam packaging, but stressed that environmental protection must take priority.

He also warned that if action is not taken, plastic waste could outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050, echoing global environmental projections.

The announcement follows several government efforts to address Ghana’s plastic crisis.

These include the National Plastics Management Policy, which places responsibility on producers and importers for the waste their products generate. The government has also revised its Solid Waste Management Strategy with a target to cut landfill-bound plastic by 60 per cent by 2030.

Some cities, including Tamale and Takoradi, have begun separating household and market waste using colour-coded bins.

According to the President, early results from these pilot programmes are promising.

He also highlighted that entrepreneurs are already recycling plastic into useful materials such as furniture, textiles, and fuel.

Market vendor Zeynab Yasir says affordable options are needed to make the ban work.

Although government says no new plastic bags can be imported, existing stocks are still being used.

Meanwhile, volunteer groups are cleaning up plastic waste from beaches, and officials are urging the use of alternatives to protect the environment for future generations.

Recycling offers a pathway to sustainable resource management, helping to reduce waste and lessen environmental impact. According to IPEN research, each material—plastic, glass, paper, or aluminium—has its challenges and benefits.

Plastics are widely used, but only 9% are effectively recycled. Issues like toxicity and microplastic pollution complicate the recycling process, and most plastics can only be recycled once or twice , limiting their reuse potential.

Concerns about disposal methods, such as plastic incineration, which releases pollutants into the air, also persist. In response, countries like Kenya have implemented laws to reduce plastic bag usage and minimise plastic waste.

Recycling paper uses less energy than creating new paper from trees, making it a more sustainable option compared to plastic. However, if not managed carefully, paper recycling can still lead to water pollution. Paper fibres also degrade in quality with each cycle, limiting their reuse. In Asia, recycled paper is often repurposed for books or school supplies, maximising its value.

Recycling aluminium is highly efficient, saving 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminium. Unlike many other materials, aluminium can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, making it one of the most sustainable resources to reuse.

Glass is another highly recyclable material that retains its quality through each cycle. When recycled locally, glass waste is diverted from landfills, where it would otherwise take thousands of years to decompose. However, some areas' low awareness about recycling practices highlights a need for more community education.

With a population of 120 million, the Philippines generates approximately 1.7 million metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste annually, according to the World Bank .

Of this, a significant portion ends up in landfills, dumpsites, or discarded in open areas. The EPR law seeks to achieve "plastic neutrality" by requiring large businesses to reduce their plastic pollution through improved product design and waste removal efforts.

Initially, companies must manage 20% of their plastic packaging footprint, which will increase to 80% by 2028.

The law covers various types of plastics, including those that are often non-recyclable. However, it does not impose a ban on popular single-use plastics, such as sachets, which pose significant recycling challenges.

So far, about half of the eligible companies have launched EPR programs, while over a thousand others must comply by the end of December or face fines of up to 20 million pesos (approximately $343,000) or even the revocation of their operating licenses.

According to Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, the EPR law removed 486,000 tons of plastic waste from the environment last year, exceeding the initial target. The legislation is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the Philippines' environmental impact from plastic pollution.

Companies can outsource their responsibilities to "producer responsibility organizations" that utilize a system of plastic credits. This allows companies to purchase certificates indicating that a metric ton of plastic has been either recycled, upcycled, or processed for energy recovery.

PCX Solutions, a leading player in the market, offers local credits ranging from around $100 for mixed plastics to over $500 for ocean-bound PET plastic.

For individuals like Marita Blanco, a widowed mother living in a low-income area of Manila, this initiative has provided new economic opportunities. Blanco collects plastic waste, selling it to charities that partner with PCX Solutions for processing.

“I didn’t know that there was money in garbage,” AFP quoted her.

These individuals, mostly men, wipe the city clean of discarded items ranging from used jerry cans and electrical equipment to shoes and shovels.

Their efforts are not just about survival; they are part of a larger ecosystem that turns waste into valuable resources.

Korales collect various types of waste, which they either restore, strip for spare parts or transform into new products.

For example, a kilogramme of collected metal can fetch about 40 birr ($0.30), while jerry cans can bring in between three and 25 birr ($0.025 and $0.21), depending on their size.

After hours of collecting, these recyclers converge on areas like Minalesh Tera in the Merkato market, one of Africa's largest open-air markets, to sell their finds to middlemen.

The korale system is a significant economic driver in Ethiopia. It provides livelihoods for thousands of people, many of whom live below the poverty line. For instance, a korale can earn between 500 and 1,000 birr ($4 to $8.50) a day.

"These are old items brought here by collectors. We purchase them and send them to factories for recycling. Some people also come here to buy old items because new ones are expensive," Tamirat Dejene, a middleman said.

Beyond the economic advantages, the korale system offers substantial environmental benefits. By collecting and recycling waste, korales helps reduce the amount of litter that would otherwise end up in landfills, contributing to pollution.

"It’s not just computers, we take old TVs, for example. They aren’t used anymore, and if left like that, they can cause environmental pollution. But if they are disassembled and sold for parts, it helps prevent pollution," Tesfaye Getahun, another middleman told AFP.

Home to approximately 17 million people, Kinshasa produces around 7,800 tons of municipal solid waste daily. However, the city, like many African cities lacks a centralised waste collection system, leading to the accumulation of rubbish in unofficial dumps and rivers.

Unmanaged waste has severe consequences for public health. Clogged drains lead to frequent flooding, especially in poorer neighbourhoods, exacerbating the spread of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and typhoid. The stench from the waste is unbearable, and the sight of children and animals foraging through the rubbish is a common and distressing scene.

Local NGOs and small rubbish collection businesses are trying to tackle the problem. For instance, JPM Services , an NGO involved in the Kin Bopeto (Clean Kinshasa) project, collects rubbish in two communes. However, without proper disposal facilities, these efforts often end up contributing to the unofficial dumps.

Residents have also expressed their frustration and disgust at the deteriorating conditions.

"It's disgusting," said Roger Odiekila, standing near an unofficial rubbish dump in the Kintambo district,

The sentiment is echoed by many who feel that the city's beauty has been marred by the overwhelming presence of waste.

The ban will initially take effect within all national ministries, departments, and agencies, with the environment ministry emphasizing the imperative of setting a precedent. The plan is to extend the ban across the nation starting January of the following year.

The majority of single-use plastics and packaging, derived from fossil fuels, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, thereby exacerbating climate change.

Despite the clear environmental advantages, the ban has sparked controversy in Nigeria, a country heavily reliant on plastic products.

At the moment, the government is formulating a new policy on plastic usage, aiming for a gradual eradication of plastic waste.

Nigeria ranks among the world's leading plastic polluters, producing in excess of 2.5 million tons of plastic waste each year. The absence of a robust waste collection system, coupled with inadequate recycling infrastructure , results in over 70% of this waste being discarded into the ocean or landfills.

The Addis Ababa City Administration Environmental Protection Authority (AAEPA) because of this has initiated strategies to address the situation.

During a stakeholder dialogue with companies and groups involved in the production of plastic, the General Manager of AAEPA, Dida Driba highlighted the importance of curbing the impact of plastic production on the environment .

He indicated the enforcement of a minimum thickness requirement of 0.03 micrometres for plastic products as part of solutions to the menace, to prevent easy degradation. The taxing of plastic products and exploration of non-plastic options were also emphasised.

The introduction of sustainable practices and awareness creation were suggested as viable solutions for addressing the challenge.

Participants in the dialogue included plastic factories engaged in plastic reproduction, supermarkets utilising plastic packaging, bread producers, distributors, as well as garden and paper container establishments, Capital Ethiopia reports.

According to Mwanza’s post on social media, the 19-year-old “knows what he is doing and speaks with courage and conviction” he added that to support his discovery, an undisclosed amount was awarded to young Jowetti to “patent his scientific idea with PACRA” a patent and company registration agency located in Lusaka, Zambia. “in the containers is petrol and oil produced by Jowetti. his community have testified that his petrol was tried in 5 motorbikes and it works, no complaint recorded from motorbikers so far,” Mwanza wrote on his official Facebook account.

Jowetti is not the first individual to have come out with such a creation. There have been several individuals from various countries on the continent who have come out with such solutions.

In 2022, South Africa’s state-owned SABC reported the news of Sibusiso Shabangu a South African man who manufactures oil, petrol, and gas from recycled materials.

However, later that year the same publication reported that Shabangu had been instructed by his district municipality in Mpumalanga, a province in eastern South Africa to halt the production of plastic waste-based fuel without a license.

‘’We have advised him before, saying no, saying you should just apply for the license or the permission otherwise we not going to allow you. The environmental office in the province are the ones who have the right to permit you to do so,” a spokesperson of the district is quoted by the SABC .

The response from the public on social media has been varied. While some have praised the creation of Jowetti, Shabangu and others who have come out with similar innovations, others have raised questions about the dangers of the emissions from these creations.

"Somalia is proactively addressing environmental issues. By prohibiting single-use plastic bags, we are committed to conserving our environment and promoting sustainable practices,” The Environment and Climate Change Minister Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi was quoted by local media Gawore Online .

“The government’s resolute commitment aims to create a cleaner and healthier environment for its citizens and future generations,” Minister Khadija was further quoted by local media Shabelle Media .

The decree provided a five-month grace period for importers and users to adjust, urging companies and entrepreneurs in Somalia to find eco-friendly alternatives

“All businesspeople engaged in bag importation, manufacturers, retailers and commercial establishments within the country are hereby notified that as of June 30, 2024, the importation and use of single-use bags shall be prohibited,” the statement issued by the Ministry said.

Somalia joins other East African Community (EAC) member states  Kenya  and  Rwanda  which completely banned single-use plastics. Meanwhile, Uganda and Tanzania have technically banned these plastics but have faced challenges in effectively enforcing the ban.