––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


Pilot Study Systemic collection of Plastic Waste from African Beaches (COL-I-PLAST)






Location


Benin - Municipality of Grand Popo


Objectives


1. Assessment of Potential (cost/benefits):

  • Quantification of the tract on the Beninese coast vs  extraction conditions by Investigating among coastal actors (fishermen, residents and ships crews) and offshore patrolling to evaluate the quantities of waste on the Beninese coast. 3D identification and mapping of waste layers with influence of streams, tides and seasons.

  • Impact assessment on the general ecology of the beach : fauna and flora, protection of the sandy bottom and of the access tracks to collection areas.

  • Extraction conditions evaluation with costs and estimated results.

  • Measurement of environmental and economic nuisances/benefits of repeated cleaning. Benefits to economic activities as tourism, fishing and agriculture and land occupation.

At the end of the study, sustainability of the the project will be qualified compared to required investments and operating costs, for appropriate decision including influence of operation on neighbouring countries (Togo, Ghana, Nigeria)…


2. Collection tests

Principle of seine fishing:


start of spinning
encircling of the fishes
sliding
turning of the net

Application:
-        A motorized canoe spins and encircles the layer of plastic, leaving one end on the shoreline where the stocking will take place
-       The canoe returns back to the beach and a truck equipped with a winch, receipts the two ends and pulls the seine to the shore.

3. Waste gathering to sorting center via grouping points:

Waste is pulled offshore to grouping points along the shore to be routed to sorting centers.

4. Sorting:

Sorting is carried out on a specialized and secured site for final waste treatment. Such sites demand special permissions to operate (Project PGUD for Benin) -


Requirements for the pilot experiment


Equipment:
a) Shallow seines equipped with floats so as not to scrape the bottoms (the size of meshes varying to pick up various fragments of waste) and sliding devices.

b) Light watercraft + load equipment to purse the seine

c) 4x4 beach truck equipped with winch + metal sheet plates + mini backhoe to tansport crew and equipment and a tipper to pickup the waste to the collection points:

d) Other equipment - studies to be completed -
    • Turtle and fish repulsion systems to prevent their capture
    • Equipment for jellyfish trapping

e) Human resources needed on operation:

1 crew of 4 to 5 people (1 truck driver also operating the winch and later on the mini backhoe to handle the waste onshore ; 2 operators on the zodiac ; 1 Team leader to coordinate operations and specifically care for safety of people and equipment).   


Where are we ? 


Enthusiastic backup of the marine authorities (Prefecture maritime) of Benin
Search for financing

Partners approached
    • Nonvitcha Association of local nationals
    • Benin Maritime Prefecture
    • Grand-Popo Municipality
    • Unity Waters Association (local association)

Early prospective sponsors:
    • Local economic operators: Grand Popo is the premier seaside destination of Benin
    • International development programs agencies : AFD - GIZ - Dutch cooperation etc ...
    • International NGOs: Keep Africa Klean