Next Step: From Sea to Shelf

Freetown Barrier

Funded by

Ocean Plastic Forum, in collaboration with Engineers Without Borders and Propel Organization, is working to establish a value chain for collected plastic waste in Sierra Leone. As part of the project, a floating waste barrier is being installed to prevent plastic waste from ending up in the ocean from Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.

The project also includes the establishment of a waste collection center, where the collected plastic can be sorted before being sent further into the value chain.

Photo: © Engineers without Borders (OPF member)

Latest developments

Agreement in place regarding a location for waste management in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Jan 15, 2024

Together with Engineers Without Borders Denmark, Danish Engineering Service, and our local partner, World Hope International, OPF has entered into an agreement with the...

Testing of the floating barrier in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Jun 26, 2023

Our ongoing project in Sierra Leone is making steady progress. We've successfully developed and produced a prototype of our floating barrier, which has been brought to...

Next stop: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Mar 31, 2023

The work on building a barrier to prevent plastic from flowing into the Atlantic Ocean from the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, is progressing. The project is being...

Problem

The capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, is facing a growing plastic waste crisis. Due to a lack of proper waste management, approximately 80% of the 40,600 tons of plastic generated annually end up in the city’s rivers and eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The problem is particularly severe in Lumley Creek, where waste from across the city accumulates, not only creating environmental challenges but also threatening the health and livelihoods of the many people who rely on the area for fishing, sanitation and clean drinking water. With the increasing use of single-use plastics, the situation is becoming even more urgent, making the need for a structured intervention critical.

Perspectives

It is expected that approximately 395 tons of plastic waste can be collected annually from Lumley Creek and the surrounding coastal areas. This will not only reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment but also contribute to improved sanitary conditions in coastal communities. At the same time, a long-term and sustainable value chain will be established, where plastic waste is not only seen as a problem but as a resource that can generate income for local communities.

Project description

To adress this challenge, the “Freetoown Lagoon Clean-up Initiative” has been launched with the goal of reducing plastic pollution in the ocean while simultaneously building an economically sustainable value chain for plastic waste management. As a central part of the project, a floating plastic barrier is being installed in the Juba River to capture waste before it ends up in the ocean. A final location for the barrier has been determined, and preparations for its establishment are underway. The collected waste will then be transported to a nearby site, where it will be sorted into fractions that can be sold to local recycling organizations.

An essential component of the project is capacity building, enabling members of the Gemata community to generate income through the collection and sale of plastic waste from the barrier. Young people in the are have already taken the initiative to manage plastic waste and turn it into a source of income, but without any formal structures, these efforts remain uncertain and unsustainable in the long run.

Therefore the project also serves as a platform where community members receive training in safe waste collection and sorting, as well as in establishing a sustainable waste management infrastructure. Training includes how plastic can be recycled and sold through economically viable models. By collaborating with local authorities, the project aims to create a long-term framework for waste management, where knowledge sharing plays a key role in ensuring stronger local ownership and engagement.

At Ocean Plastic Forum, our primary focus has been on the design and installation of the floating barrier, as well as on establishing the value chain that will enable the recycling of the collected ocean plastic. Once the barrier is in place, we will continue to support the process through knowledge sharing and strategic guidance. The goal is to create a model that not only works in Freetown but can also serve as an inspiration for similar initiatives in other coastal communities facing severe plastic pollution challenges.