Plastic waste management is one of the world’s leading environmental crises today. It is interestingly devastating to know how the world currently generates about 350 million tons of plastic waste per year 1. The majority of plastic waste ends up in water bodies and landfills, threatening the ecosystem, human health and the general environment. In Ghana alone, about 1.1 million tons of plastic waste is produced annually 2. This has necessitated the actions of many across the world to tackle plastic waste pollution.
ECORESS Concepts envisions a sustainable future where resources are effectively and efficiently utilized to contribute towards a circular economy. In the quest to create awareness, ECORESS Concepts added more than just a voice to the course against plastic waste pollution and climate change. As part of its 2023 activities, the School and Community Outreach programme on plastic waste education, towards knowledge and skill to drive innovation as part of solving the plastic waste problem was launched.
The maiden programme took place at St. Anthony of Padua Primary and Junior High, Kwesimintsim – Ghana, in May 2023. The project which engaged over 500 students achieved its goal through education and awareness creation on plastic waste pollution. Students understood and appreciated the need for the 9R framework of the waste hierarchy. Students realized how indiscriminate disposal of plastics affects not only the environment but also human health and climate change at large.
The project encouraged and exposed students to best practices, reusing plastics, upcycling and how innovations can be part of the solution. The project facilitators took the students through DIY activities including the design of different daily artefacts from plastics such as a pencil/pen holder, trophy, flower vase and toothbrush holder, among others they can design and create for leisure.
It was evident that the students had little idea about plastic waste pollution and its adverse consequences on land, aqua life and human health. They were fascinated to know the link between the life cycle of plastics and climate change. The project saw students pledge to become plastic waste ambassadors for their schools and communities. ECORESS Concepts is poised to raise more plastic waste awareness and ambassadors in schools and communities through the project and also follow ups with periodic plastic waste collection from the schools before entering the waste stream through its partners. We are open to partnerships, donors and supporters to make meaningful impacts in our communities and the world at large.
Watch out for the next school!!