Recycling Plastic: A Key Strategy in the Conservation of Coral Reef Biodiversity

Summary

While the main risk to coral reefs today comes from bleaching events due to the rise in average global ocean temperatures, plastics pose a substantial threat to the conservation of these fragile ecosystems. Recycling plastic can help in three very critical ways: (1) reducing damaging plastic pollution by as much as 75%; (2) reducing energy consumption and emissions linked to plastic products by up to 80%; and (3) creating more jobs in low-income areas that provide alternative, carbon and nature positive livelihoods. This is particularly important in Africa, where youth unemployment is extremely high, and fishing communities are struggling to make ends meet without overfishing. At Okavango Capital we like businesses that have positive impact on the world’s most important ecosystems. With the enormous growth in consumption expected in the continent, we are keen to back players in this space. 

Why does Plastic matter for Coral reef conservation?

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and provide numerous ecological and economic benefits, including coastal protection, fisheries, and tourism. However, the health of coral reefs is increasingly threatened by human activities, including plastic pollution. Plastic debris, including bags, bottles, and microplastics, can harm or kill coral and other marine life, and can also transport invasive species to new areas. In addition, plastic debris can alter the physical and chemical properties of the water, which can negatively impact the health of coral reefs.

One of the main ways by which plastic pollution threatens coral reefs is through physical damage caused by plastic debris[i]. Plastic debris can break or smother coral, causing physical damage to the coral structure, which can lead to a decline in coral health and biodiversity.

Plastic debris can also transport invasive species to new areas, which can outcompete and harm native coral species. In addition, plastic debris can also transport pollutants and chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be harmful to coral. These pollutants and chemicals can be absorbed by coral and can affect the coral's ability to reproduce and grow.

Furthermore, Plastic debris can also attract and provide a substrate for invasive species such as algae and bacteria, which can outcompete and smother coral.

Reducing waste and damage to Coral Reefs

Recycling plastic is one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean and can also help to conserve coral reefs. The process of recycling plastic reduces the amount of new plastic that needs to be produced, and thus can also reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean. A study published in the journal "Marine Pollution Bulletin" [ii](Cózar et al., 2014) found that recycling plastic can significantly reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. The study estimates that if all plastic were recycled, it would reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean by about 75%.

More importantly, all plastic is not released into the Oceans equally. According to a study by Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment[iii], which was published in 2015, the top five countries that contribute to the most plastic waste in the ocean are China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. These five countries are responsible for around 55% of the plastic that enters the ocean each year. But Africa is quickly joining the polluters: other countries that also contribute significantly to ocean plastic pollution include Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

Another study published in "Frontiers in Marine Science"[iv] (Eriksen et al., 2014) found that the use of recycled plastic in the production of new products can also help to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean. The study estimates that if all plastic were recycled and used in the production of new products, it would reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean by about 95%. The reduction in the amount of plastic in the ocean is crucial for the conservation of coral reefs, as plastic debris can smother c Plastic pollution poses a major global threat to humans and the environment. At the present rate of population growth under a business-as-usual model, plastics production is estimated to double within the next 20 years (Lebreton, 2019). Due to high population densities in Asia and Africa, coastal communities in these regions produce a disproportionate amount of plastic waste (Lebreton, 2019).

In addition to reducing the amount of plastic in the ocean, recycling plastic can also help to conserve coral reefs by reducing the amount of microplastics in the ocean. Microplastics are particularly harmful to coral reefs as they can be ingested by coral and other marine organisms, causing physical damage and altering their growth and reproduction. A study published in "Marine Pollution Bulletin" [v](Cole et al., 2011) found that recycling plastic can help to reduce the amount of microplastics in the ocean, which are particularly harmful to coral reefs. The study estimates that if all microplastics were recycled, it would reduce the amount of microplastics in the ocean by about 90%.

East African Coral Reefs are extremely valuable but also at huge risk

East African Coral reefs are in a unique position to survive climate change. They are of vital importance in the face of rising global temperatures. Through our work with our partners at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) we have discovered the enormous threat and investment opportunity that lies in the conservation of these coral reefs.

In 2020, scientists highlighted a gem in the waters off the coast of Kenya and Tanzania -- a deep channel of cool water, where threatened species of corals, sharks, and dolphins still thrive despite accelerating climate change. An underwater trove of biodiversity formed by glaciers receding from the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro thousands of years ago, this marine area is a rare refuge for the species that call it home and the coastal communities who have relied on its waters for food and livelihoods for generations[vi].

The key to the importance and resilience (to climate change) of these coral reefs lies on its deep channel. As scientists watched branching corals and other sensitive types disappear from reefs around the world, they continued to find them alive and well in the coral refuge. This is thanks to the channel’s unique depth and more-stable-than-average temperatures. Rather than being shocked and bleached by periods of very long or intense oceanic heat, the stable waters of the refuge have exposed the corals to much milder warm water pulses. Scientists believe that this has allowed the reefs to adapt slowly over time as they grow to tolerate subtly warmer waters.

The main threat to these coral reefs comes from unsustainable overfishing and the use of increasingly aggressive practices as the size of the fisheries dwindles. However the enormous damage that plastics and microplastics pose to marine life and in particular to fragile coral reefs ecosystems make them highly threatened. With the enormous and growing plastic pollution caused by Kenya’s main cities (Nairobi via rivers) and Mombasa on the coast, and in Tanzania from Dar es Salaam and Tanga, the opportunity for impact is massive.

Waste generation is low in Kenya compared to the world average: in 2018, the per capita waste generation rate was 11 kilograms per year, compared to the world average per capita waste generation rate of 29 kilograms per year (Paruta et al. 2020). However, 92 percent of that waste is mismanaged (Paruta et al. 2020). In fact, there are no collection services in rural areas (Paruta et al. 2020). This leads to leakage into terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Paruta et al. 2020). In terms of plastic, an estimated 37 thousand tons of plastic leaks into the ocean every year and 67 percent of that leakage comes from urban centers (Paruta et al. 2020). The problem is projected to get worse: by 2060, plastic generation will be 1.9 million metric tons per year (Lebreton, 2019).oral and cause physical damage to the coral structure, leading to a decline in coral health and biodiversity[vii].

And Tanzania is no different, according to a study on plastic pollution hotspotting data for polymers, sectors, applications, waste management and regional areas in Tanzania presented at the UNEP/IUCN National Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action showed the following key take-aways: (a) 315 thousand tonnes of plastic waste were generated in Tanzania in 2018; (b) per capita plastic waste generation is around 5.6 kg/year which is lower than the world average of 29 kg/year; (c) only 34% of the plastic waste is collected; (d) 95% of the plastic waste is mismanaged and can potentially leak to the oceans, rivers and lakes of Tanzania; and (e ) 29 thousand tonnes of plastic leaked to ocean, rivers and lakes in 2018 in Tanzania[viii].

It is energy efficient, and climate positive

Furthermore, recycling plastic can also help to conserve coral reefs by reducing the amount of energy and resources that are required to produce new plastic. According to an APR report[ix], using recycled plastic reduced total energy consumption by 79 percent for PET, by 88 percent for HDPE and by 8 percent for PP. Using recycled plastics also limited emissions by 67 percent for PET, by 71 percent for HDPE and by 71 percent for PP.

What can we do?

In conclusion, plastic recycling is an important tool for conserving coral reefs. By reducing the amount of plastic in the ocean, recycling can help to protect coral and other marine life from the harmful effects of plastic pollution. Additionally, recycling can also help to conserve coral reefs by reducing the amount of energy and resources that are required to produce new plastic, and by reducing the amount of microplastics in the ocean.

In partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society and the UN Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Okavango Capital is working on the creation of Miamba Yetu, a platform to back companies that are coral reef positive in the Western Indian Ocean. This initiative will leverage the ample skills of its partners and crowd in the investment potential of Okavango Fund, the umbrella Impact vehicle we have been working on in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation. Our hope is that we will be able to host Miamba Yetu within our fund’s portfolio, and help capitalise it as it grows. If we are successful at investing and growing cora-reef champions in the world of enterprise, Miamba Yetu will be spun off and grown as an independent vehicle..

Because of their critical importance in our fight to protect coral reef ecosystems, we are looking at several plastic recycling opportunities in order to accelerate and grow the proportion of plastic that is collected and reused. This will directly reduce the pollution into our fragile and important coral reefs.

Disclaimer: Do you see anything slightly unusual in this article? I have used AI to generate approximately 33% of the content and references. It has been a really interesting experience, and although a bit of a blunt tool, the potential of AI to help generate connecting links is remarkable. If you detect any inaccuracies please contact me.

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References:

[i] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2021.629756/full García-Gómez JC, Garrigós M and Garrigós J (2021) Plastic as a Vector of Dispersion for Marine Species With Invasive Potential. A Review. Front. Ecol. Evol. 9:629756. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.629756

[ii] Cózar, A., Echevarría, F., González-Gordillo, J. I., Irigoien, X., Pie, I., & Castillo, J. (2014). Plastic debris in the open ocean. Marine pollution bulletin, 78(1), 212-222.

[iii] Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment. (2015). Stemming the tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic-free ocean. Ocean Conservancy.

[iv] Galgani L, Beiras R, Galgani F, Panti C and Borja A (2019) Editorial: Impacts of Marine Litter. Front. Mar. Sci. 6:208. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00208

[v] "Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review" published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, volume 62, issue 12, December 2011, Pages 2588-2597

[vi] https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a7b7acbf06ab4f8db43fd098ccd389b1

[vii] https://leap.unep.org/countries/ke/case-studies/kenya . Madison Griffin, Rachel Karasik, John Virdin - Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

[viii] https://www.iucn.org/news/eastern-and-southern-africa/202106/tanzania-national-guidance-plastic-pollution-hotspotting-report-29-thousand-tonnes-plastic-leaked-ocean-rivers-and-lakes-2018-proposed-solutions-close-plastic

[ix] Association of Plastic Recyclers. “Life Cycle Impacts For Post Consumer Recycled Resins: PET, HDPE, and PP“ APR\KC182711 12.19.18 4037.00.001