Burkina Faso - Plastic Reboot

About the Project

Burkina Faso heavily relies on single-use plastic packaging in the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, particularly in regard to distributing fruits, vegetables, water, and street food. Out of a total consumption of 123,727.26 tons of plastic, 60% is linked to this sector.

The objective of the project is to reduce single-use plastic pollution in the F&B sector through a circular economy approach in Centre, Centre-Ouest, and Hauts-Bassins regions. The project will foster collaboration among public authorities, financing institutions, the private sector, and NGOs.

Project Components

• Strengthening the legal and policy frameworks related to packaging (particularly the revision on the law banning single-use plastic bags) which are currently limited;

• Engaging businesses and financing institutions to adopt circular practices including the implementation of business initiatives (including women-owned businesses);

• Promoting safe reuse practices and creating economic opportunities including adopted guidelines, norms and standards, capacity building, and fund mobilization;

• Ensuring communication and coordination throughout the project, especially with the Global Project. It will also contribute to socioeconomic co-benefits, including diversified livelihoods and economic growth through the innovative, circular solutions.

Global Environmental Benefits

The project will contribute positive impacts delivered through the GEBs including 22,219 MT of avoided residual plastic waste pollution (CI 9.8), resulting in 0.299 gTEQ POPs to air reduced (CI 10) and 70,813 metric tons of CO2e reduced (CI 6.7).

July 2026: Project Launch

In July 2026, Plastic Reboot - Burkina Faso launched in Ouagadougou, beginning a 5-year effort led by the General Directorate for the Environment and the Living Environment (DGECV).

With UNEP support, the project will strengthen policy frameworks, support circular business models, improve access to finance and advance safer reuse systems adapted to local realities.

Plastic Reboot - Burkina Faso reminds us that the challenge is not only a coastal story. In a landlocked country, plastic pollution shows up in blocked drainage channels, pressure on agricultural land, public health risks and the everyday systems that move food through the economy.

And what escapes those systems could travel: through the Volta Basin, well beyond national borders. Learn more about the launch event here.

Photo Gallery

Images courtesy of the Ministère de l’Agriculture de l'Eau des Ressources Animales et Halieutiques.