Achieving sustainable source reduction of marine litter for ocean conservation in West Africa: Insights from single-use plastic consumers in Liberia

Abstract

Source reduction of marine litter is the most preferred approach to addressing the global problem of the entry of plastics into the environment, including the ocean. Policies to achieve this reduction within the African region have so far had limited success. Studying the behavioural dimension of the use of single-use plastics (SuPs) may provide the knowledge basis for developing sustainable plastic policies for desired impact. This study sought to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors and awareness of environmental impacts of plastics on the use of SuPs in West Africa using Liberia as a case study. The SuPs studied include carrier bags, drinking water sachets and bottles, drink/beverage bottles and expanded polystyrene packs. The results show that different prevailing socio-demographic factors influence the different uses of SuPs. Level of education and income levels of the respondents, for instance, had significantly positive influence on the patronage of bottled water, bottled drinks and expanded polystyrene packs. While on the other hand, rising income level had a significant negative influence on the use of sachet water alone. It also showed that awareness of environmental impacts of SuPs had no significant influence on the use of plastic carrier bags and sachet water but rather increased significantly the use of all other SuPs. The observed patterns of use of the SuPs imply underlying factors that need to be thoughtfully considered in developing SuP reduction policies and SuP management infrastructure as matters of priority. The study recommends that similar studies should be conducted in other parts of Liberia as well as across Africa to provide a basis for the development of effective behaviour intervention programmes. This study also provides a scientific context to apply recommendations of this study to other West African countries with similar issues and challenges with marine litter menace.