To celebrate World Environmental Day on June 5th, 2023, Bright Light Projects (BLP) launched an exciting new campaign aimed at reducing plastic pollution in schools. Dubbed “Environmental Sustainability for Primary and Secondary Schools,” the campaign is part of BLP’s larger initiative, “Promoting Sustainable Waste Management and Economic Opportunities through Plastic Recycling,” targeting Bamenda, Cameroon, and Makeni, Sierra Leone.
These cities, like many others in Sub-Saharan Africa, struggle with severe plastic waste issues due to inadequate waste management, lack of awareness, and limited recycling options. This leads to pollution that harms the environment and public health, while also limiting economic opportunities related to recycling.
With Africa responsible for about 4-5% of global plastic production and consumption, the continent faces a growing plastic waste problem exacerbated by rapid population growth and urbanization. Predictions suggest that by 2060, Africa will produce 116 million tons of waste annually—six times higher than in 2019.
Most plastics in Sub-Saharan Africa are used for packaging products from overseas and often end up burned or dumped due to poor waste management. This disproportionately impacts developing countries, causing serious environmental and health issues.
The school campaign focuses on three key dimensions of sustainable development: environmental protection, economic growth, and social protection. Activities include:
Awareness Assemblies: Educating students about the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and human health.
Poster Competitions: Encouraging students to create posters that highlight the effects of plastic pollution ways to reduce plastic use, and more.
The campaign aims to establish sustainable recycling systems in Bamenda and Makeni, create economic opportunities for youth through entrepreneurship in waste management, and raise awareness about environmental protection. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050, educating schoolchildren on proper waste disposal is crucial for a sustainable future.
This year’s theme, “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, aligns perfectly with the campaign’s goals, emphasizing the urgent need to tackle plastic waste and its detrimental effects on our communities and our environment.
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