A Jesuit Missions’ partner wants to uphold a ban on low-grade plastic bags in Madagascar to help reduce littering and protect the country’s stunning biodiversity.
The Centre Arrupe Madagascar, a Jesuit environmental organisation, has been campaigning for all to adhere to the ban on plastic bags under 50 microns thick.
Such bags, which were outlawed in 2017, were causing significant litter issues in Madagascar since they were often used once and tossed away.
They can also contain slow degrading microplastics, can be difficult to recycle and are particularly damaging to forest and marine wildlife.
(Image: Unsplash/Naja Bertolt Jensen)
Henintsoa Nary Mihamina, Environment and Sustainable Development Project Manager at the Centre Arrupe, said her organisation’s work on plastic bags is “one of her proudest achievements”.
“Our team is actively advocating for the enforcement of the existing decree, and bringing together key stakeholders to support this initiative has been a major success for me,” she explained.
“It has also boosted my confidence to continue taking on new challenges.”
Henintsoa’s passion for the natural world emerged during her time at university. This has only grown thanks to the set-up at the Centre Arrupe.
She has taken part in multiple practical workshops and awareness raising sessions, which helped shape the plastic bag campaign.
‘[We are] deeply committed to fighting environmental degradation’
“The Centre Arrupe has been a springboard, allowing me to turn my passion into a fulfilling and impactful career,” she added.
“Today, I not only feel more competent in my field, but also deeply committed to fighting environmental degradation.”
Madagascar is a megadiverse nation, with a high concentration – some 82% of plants and 90% of vertebrates – of endemic species.
However, deforestation, widespread poverty and the impact of climate change are serious threats to this.
Through various courses and training sessions, the Centre Arrupe seeks to raise awareness of the problems facing the country – and the wider planet – and how all can act to address such issues.
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