Plastic pollution is a growing threat to the environment and to human health. Every year, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally, with an estimated 19-23 million tons ending up in lakes, rivers, and seas. Less than 10 percent of the world's annual plastic production is recycled, exacerbating the impact of plastic pollution on the environment.

In Africa, a growing population and urbanization are driving an increase in single-use plastic, heightening environmental pollution and health threats. Despite being responsible for only 5 percent of global plastic production and consuming only 4 percent , African nations are among the most vulnerable to the impact of plastic pollution.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have been collaborating since 2008 to reduce environmental threats to health. Several joint projects have been conducted, including the Clim-HEALTH Africa project, which aims to help predict, prevent, and manage acute public health effects of climate change in Africa.