Social representation of waste management in Mayotte: a cooperation between residents and scientists

Managing plastic pollution is a major public health issue in Mayotte (french territory in the Indian ocean), where unauthorized dumps are on the increase. The lack of selective sorting and appropriate practices among residents contributes to this problem. A survey carried out in 2023 among 352 people, survey performed in collaboration with the secondary schools students, highlighted several aspects. Residents show a strong cultural and social attachment to natural spaces, particularly rivers, which they use for a variety of activities, such as washing up or washing dishes. However, river use is also a source of pollution, particularly from plastic waste, which ends up being transported by rivers or the sea. The most common types of plastic are bottles, bags and shoes. Although 81% of respondents consider plastic to be a pollutant, there is a lack of clear social representation on the subject. The lack of sorting facilities and the inefficiency of local infrastructures exacerbate the situation, leading to an accumulation of litter. Waste not only impacts the local environment, such as mangroves, but also disrupts the quality of life of local residents, particularly those living in precarious conditions. This study is the first study highlighting and quantifiying the plastic/waste pollution in Mayotte.