In a bid to promote environmental sustainability, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Coca-Cola, and TechnoServe, through the Nigerian Plastic Solutions Activity, have partnered with the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) to educate residents on proper plastic waste disposal.
The collaboration culminated in a one-day public sensitization program held in Awka, urging Ndi Anambra to avoid improper disposal of plastic waste, which negatively impacts the ecosystem.
The awareness campaign, which started at Aroma Junction and concluded at Awka South Local Government headquarters, focused on discouraging the public from dumping plastic waste into drainages and streets, as it contributes to environmental degradation and flooding.
In an interview, TechnoServe’s Senior Business Adviser, Mr. Franklin Nwaribe, alongside ASWAMA’s Head of Enforcement, Mr. Ikenna Nwanegbo, encouraged residents to convert plastic waste into a profitable venture by selling it to ASWAMA and TechnoServe. They emphasized that this approach would contribute to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Anambra State.
One of the program’s aggregators, Mr. Chekwube Nnoli, expressed optimism that the initiative would help curb indiscriminate plastic waste disposal by offering economic incentives to residents who properly dispose of their waste.
Participants at the event carried placards with messages such as “Be an Environmental Champion by Joining the Plastic Solutions Program,” “Plastic Has Changed,” and “Make Money and Make Your Community Healthier.”