By Ojugbele Omotunde
In a commendable joint effort, DevTrain Community and eTrash2Cash have joined forces for the Plastic Community Project (PCP) in Makurdi, Benue State.
Supported by the esteemed Innocent Chukwuma Social Impact Fellowship (ICSIF) from Lagos Business School and the Ford Foundation, this initiative aims to tackle the pervasive issue of plastic waste in Nigeria head-on.
The overarching objective of the project is to galvanize more than 15 schools into action, engaging them in the collection of plastic waste.
By doing so, the project endeavors to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and pave the way for a plastic-free community.
This pioneering endeavor marks the first of its kind in Benue State, setting a precedent for innovative solutions to the plastic waste
crisis.
Leveraging the power of sports, the project seeks to instill a sense of environmental consciousness among school children, targeting a reduction in the staggering 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in Nigeria.
Despite encountering challenges such as interruptions due to elections and delays in obtaining permission from the Ministry of Education, the project has achieved notable milestones. It has successfully established 16 Eco-Clubs and imparted environmental education to 120 champions.
Additionally, the distribution of 200 tree seedlings underscores the commitment to fostering sustainable practices within
the community.
This initiative serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the efficacy of creative approaches in addressing environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
Moreover, the partnership forged through this endeavor serves as a blueprint for future initiatives aimed at combating plastic waste and championing environmental activism through the lens of sports.
