Flipflopi completes its historic journey in Tanzania bringing together policy makers and community members to take action against single-use plastics

The Flipflopi dhow sailed into Mwanza, Tanzania early April this year, with a mission to end single-use plastic.  The world’s first dhow built entirely from re-purposed waste plastics, including flip-flops aimed to lead a plastic-reuse revolution through education, positive storytelling and campaigns.

Over a four-week period the colourful and innovative dhow travelled across Lake Victoria to visit Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, meeting business leaders, community leaders, conservationists, policy-makers and school children. 

The arrival of the Flipflopi in Tanzania, inspired artistry work and virtual webinars featuring youth and civil society organisations, The UN Environment programme, policy makers and the private sector who discussed the impact of plastic pollution on the lake and what we can all do about it.

The dhow was received by Mwanza City Council and a diverse range of local and international partners accompanied by events aimed at beating plastic pollution and tackling marine litter. It also set up plastic waste recycling centres to serve the citizens of the lake.  Flip Floppi partnered with the Global Clean seas campaign to deliver a key message on the alarming impact of plastics on oceans and freshwater ecosystems. A recent study from Mwanza estimated that 1 in 5 fish in Lake Victoria had ingested plastic.  UNEP informs global populations that some 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea every year, sickening wildlife, clogging fishing nets and sometimes ending up on dinner plates.

The Executive Director for Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization (EMEDO). Ms. Editrudith Lukanga, emphasized, “Plastic pollution and waste do not respect borders. Wherever you live around the lake, we can all play our role to reduce the plastic we throw away, and re-purpose it to bring value to our communities, and save Lake Victoria for future generations”

Lake Victoria supports more than 40 million people and has been under increased pressure from the dramatic effects of climate change and pollution, which has severely impacted the lake and threatens the health and livelihoods of communities.