Photo courtesy of Samuel Nyakudya
Samuel Nyakudya works at WWF to manage and advance circular economy projects that address plastic and waste challenges. In a GEF Voices interview, he shared lessons from the Plastic Reboot integrated program in South Africa, which aims to reduce problematic single-use plastic packaging in the food and beverage sector.
How did you get into this line of work?
My passion for infusing economic skills into environmental sustainability was the biggest motivation and this was developed early in my career as an economist working in the public sector, where I was directly involved in policy implementation and programs aimed at economic development.
Through this work, I became increasingly aware that environmental challenges - particularly those related to resource use, pollution, and inequality - are fundamentally economic problems that require systemic, market‑based solutions, and above all, policy shift.
I also felt that South Africa’s unemployment, inequality and poverty challenges can be addressed if we combine economic insight with environmental science. In this way we can drive sustainable development, influence policy reform, and strengthen climate‑resilient decision‑making.
Is there a GEF-funded project or program that is close to your heart?
Plastic Reboot is close to my heart as it seeks to address one of the biggest plastic pollution challenges we have in South Africa. Many of our communities are exposed to microplastics and toxic additives through contaminated water, food chains, and open burning of plastic waste, increasing risks to respiratory health and long‑term wellbeing.
I have witnessed how unmanaged waste burdens our rivers, coastlines, and biodiversity, thus affecting sustainable development. Addressing plastic pollution in South Africa is not only an environmental priority but a national development imperative. It is also part of my personal mission to help safeguard South Africa’s future.
What life lessons has your job taught you?
Working on Plastic Reboot – South Africa has shown me how environmental challenges are deeply intertwined with social and economic realities. I’ve learned that meaningful change requires collaboration across sectors, evidence‑based decision‑making, and an appreciation for the incentives that drive behavior. Most importantly, this work has reinforced the need for patience, resilience, and a long‑term vision when building solutions that benefit both the people of South Africa and the environment they live in.
The state of the global environment is concerning. What gives you hope?
It is true that the global environment is under severe and accelerating stress, with multiple crises intensifying simultaneously: climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and land degradation. But despite the severity of the situation, I feel optimistic. There are major scientific assessments, and a growing number of governments taking heed of these risks as a result of advocacy work. If we stand together and act decisively, we can turn things around.
What advice would you give a young person interested in a career like yours?
I would encourage them to start by cultivating a systems mindset. Most of the global environmental crises we face today are interconnected, so strong solutions must link economic, environmental, and community needs. In plastics, this approach helps you understand how materials, behaviors, markets, and public policies interact across the entire value chain. This holistic perspective supports more resilient solutions and ensures that actions in one part of the system don’t create new problems elsewhere.
Also, it is important to stay grounded in evidence-based thinking and remain adaptable as new technologies, policies and scientific insights emerge. Evidence-based thinking is essential when tackling plastic pollution because it ensures decisions are guided by credible data rather than assumptions. As technologies, policies, and scientific insights continue to evolve, adaptability allows practitioners to refine strategies and stay effective in a rapidly changing landscape. This combination strengthens the impact of interventions and supports long‑term sustainable solutions.
