Assessing the Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste Incineration: A Case Study of Freetown, Sierra Leone

The environmental impact of plastic waste incineration, particularly its detrimental effects on public health and local ecosystems, is explored within the context of Freetown, Sierra Leone. The amount of plastic waste has increased significantly due to rapid urbanization and poor waste management infrastructure, with city authorities adopting incineration as a major means of disposal. Although this technique minimizes waste volume, it emits harmful gases such as airborne particles (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, dioxins, and volatile organic compounds which greatly reduce air quality and are severely harmful to residents' health; respiratory diseases; etc. It adopts a mixed-methods approach, involving both extensive literature reviews and on-field pollution testing to examine the effects of pollution on personal health. Results show alarming levels of (PM2.5) above World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, as well as elevated dioxin concentrations, demonstrate significant health hazards for the local population. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the contamination of soil and water with heavy metals resulting from incineration processes, which pose additional threats to agricultural productivity and human well-being. The findings highlight an immediate need for sustainable waste management approaches at the local, regional, or national levels focusing on better recycling, public health interventions, and strong policy measures frameworks. This is why such measures are needed to reduce the impact of burning plastic on people and the environment in Freetown. In conclusion, this study further dissects the intricate balance between waste handling methods and environmental well-being in urban areas, calling for urgent measures to tackle these critical issues.