(3 Minutes Read)
They are found layered in the dirt of excavated roads and obstructing waterways. Alarmingly, these bags are now also appearing in remote farmlands, including those used for planting coffee seeds in nurseries, which are made of thick plastic.
In Uganda, a surge of plastic bags, commonly referred to as buveera, is spreading beyond urban areas. This issue has long plagued the landscape of Kampala, the capital, where buveera have become intertwined with everyday life.
They are found layered in the dirt of excavated roads and obstructing waterways. Alarmingly, these bags are now also appearing in remote farmlands, including those used for planting coffee seeds in nurseries, which are made of thick plastic.
As climate change intensifies, the reliance on agricultural plastics—which are already essential for many crops—grows even stronger for some farmers. Research continues to reveal that tiny microplastics disrupt ecosystems and infiltrate human bodies, raising concerns among scientists, farmers, and consumers about their impact on health.
Many are actively seeking solutions, yet industry experts highlight the challenge of tracking the fate of plastics or eliminating them, despite the best efforts of recycling and reuse initiatives.
A 2021 report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization indicates that soils are significant recipients of agricultural plastics, with some studies suggesting that microplastic pollution in soils may exceed that found in oceans.
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Many farmers assert that agricultural plastics, already vital for crop production, are becoming increasingly essential as climate change leads to more extreme weather conditions. However, for those working the land, the situation remains complex.
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