The Unseen Victims: Why Zimbabwe’s Plastic Ban Must Prioritize Animal Welfare

Zimbabwe is at a crossroads in its fight against plastic pollution. As the global stage has set the momentum for the enactment of a legally binding treaty on plastics, Zimbabwe, among other African states, has been actively involved in key international discussions, signaling an awareness of this pressing issue. Domestically, the campaign to push for the ban on single use plastics has not been an easy one but the conversation has been cemented with dedicated efforts from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and various proponents. Yet, in all fairness to these efforts, there remains a critical piece of the puzzle that is missing: the devastating impact of plastic pollution on our beloved animals.

The Current Landscape: A Focus on the Environment and Economy

The conversation in Zimbabwe has affirmatively focused on the environmental hazards associated with plastic use. This relates to their non-biodegradable nature, their role in general pollution, and their contribution to a global crisis. We have witnessed campaigns like the “Plastics Free July,” encouraging citizens and industry stakeholders to be aware of the ravaging effects of plastics. Locally, big retail brands were seen taking up this campaign and even replacing a percentage of their usual plastic carrier bags with paper bags. Environmental regulators such as the Environmental Management Agency promulgated Statutory Instrument 98 of 2010. These regulations introduced a ban which saw the reduction in use of thin plastic and polystyrene for food packaging by over 95%.

However, the road to a comprehensive plastic ban has not been smooth. Notable resistance from the corporate world and finance bodies is quite evident. Their concern with investments and business sustainability has led to disagreements within government ministries and has slowed progress. In an attempt to resolve this, proponents have strategically called for an introduction of a phased approach of the plastic ban and direct engagement with key stakeholders to push this ban through.

The Missing Piece: Animals in Peril

While these efforts are commendable, the narrative in Zimbabwe is unfortunately silent on the most vulnerable victims of plastic pollution: animals.

Zimbabwe is a landlocked nation, richly endowed with terrestrial domestic animals and wildlife. These animals face immense threats from plastics. Elephants, donkeys, cattle, sheep, and goats, to mention only a few, are some of the victims that tragically ingest plastic, usually mistaking it for food. The result is not just an upset stomach; plastic debris has the capacity to block or pierce their digestive tracts, leading to a slow, painful death from starvation or internal injury. Thousands of undocumented animal deaths from plastics occur each year in Zimbabwe alone. Beyond ingestion, entanglement in plastic waste has been shown to cause severe injuries, immobility, and increased vulnerability to predators. Plastic material also alters their micro-environments and destroys vital habitats.

Zimbabwe’s limited aquatic ecosystems are not spared from the harms of plastics, including. wetlands, rivers, lakes, and dams and animals exist within these aquatic ecosystems. Zimbabwe`s marine and freshwater populations are considerably exposed to plastic ingestion. Areas such as dams and lakes attract tourists and recreational activities and if uncontrolled, litter from such human activities passes on to the nearby water streams. In their quite long life cycle, plastics break down into micro-plastics, invade the food chain, accumulating in the tissues of fish and other aquatic life, with unknown long-term consequences for both wildlife and potentially humans.

Why Animal Welfare Must Be Central

The current focus on the environment, while important, is incomplete. Neglecting to point out the direct and often deadly impact of plastics on animals, we miss a glaring and emotionally persuasive argument for immediate action. Protecting our animals, both domestic and wild, is integral to Zimbabwe’s natural heritage and tourism, and should be a commencing driver for stronger, more urgent plastic legislation.

Again, when using an ethical imperative, humans have a moral obligation to protect the creatures with whom we share this planet. As mentioned above, plastic pollution poses a direct threat in the protection of the biodiversity of our ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic.

There is a need for greater public engagement as well. This can be achieved through stories and images of animals suffering from plastic pollution as visual presentation can powerfully move the public and boost broader support for a ban. It makes the issue tangible and relatable.

Finally, a holistic solution would focus on addressing animal welfare entwined with a more comprehensive and impactful approach to combating plastic pollution, covering all its devastating effects.

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

It’s time for Zimbabwe and the rest of the world to finalize the conversation on the plastic ban. I have devoted my Global Ambassador Program project to raising awareness and driving local action to include animal protection in the plastics discussion.

Whilst we understand the world is negotiating a new treaty, certainly more can be done locally in the meantime. Emphasis should be placed on vehement advocacy for the inclusion of animal welfare as a core justification for the ban on the single use of plastics. This can also be achieved through means such as launching campaigns specifically illustrating how plastics harm wildlife. In addition, emphasizing the animal welfare crisis when lobbying Parliament and reluctant ministries can be equally instrumental. Finally, encouraging and incentivizing the development and use of animal-safe alternatives for plastics should be prioritized and budgeted on like any other national priority area.

Among the work that I’ve done as a CALS Ambassador on this issue includes:

• Organizing an inception meeting on Plastics Pollution and Animal Welfare in Zimbabwe with stakeholders and working with Great Zimbabwe University and my fellow Animal Law LLM alumni Ignatius Maeresa and Nancy Makuvise.

• Presenting to an international audience at a side event during the Ramsar convention on wetlands, hosted by Zimbabwe.

• Preparing a policy brief regarding wetlands, animals and plastics.

• Actively advocating for the development of a legal framework for a ban on plastics.

• Gathering stakeholder input on effectively incorporating animal welfare considerations into the broader discussion on plastics.

• Advancing knowledge regarding animal law and its practical implementation.

Through consistent and intentional efforts to make the plight of our animals a central part of the discussion, we can reinforce the resolve for a plastic ban, expedite its implementation, and ultimately protect Zimbabwe’s priceless animals for generations to come.

About the Author:

Linda Masudze is a Zimbabwean lawyer passionate about Animal Law. She began her advocacy volunteering in 2017 and has since been actively involved in fighting for animal rights both locally and internationally. Her experience includes representing Zimbabwe’s environmental interests at the Global Youth Biodiversity Network workshop (2018) and participating as a delegate at CITES COP18 (2019) to combat wildlife trafficking. Linda has also monitored animal law cases in Zimbabwean courts, assisted the National Prosecution Authority, and served as a Legal Officer for the Environmental Management Agency of Zimbabwe (EMA).

Linda graduated from the Animal Law LLM program at Lewis & Clark Law School and during the program learned in depth about how the American legal system works to protect animals and the pitfalls and the best practices used in animal protection around the world that can be implemented in her own country. Following graduation, Linda held the Charles R Policy Fellowship, which trained her in multilateral environmental agreements and negotiation skills, leading to her participation in AMCEN 2023. Currently she is the National Youth Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention on wetlands for Zimbabwe Her diverse interests include biodiversity law, MEA policy negotiations, human rights, and corporate law, with a strong commitment to sustainable development goals.

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to educate the next generation of animal law advocates and advance animal protection through the law. With vision and bold risk-taking, CALS has since developed into a world-renowned animal law epicenter. CALS’ Alumni-in-Action from 30 countries are making a difference for animals around the world. CALS is a self-funded Center within the law school operating under the Lewis & Clark College 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and is able to provide these educational opportunities through donations and grants.