The Cleanup Festival urecycle September 13, 2022

The Cleanup Festival

SUMMARY

Date: 21st September, 2019

Location: Lagos, Nigeria. (University of Lagos)

Number of people in attendance: ~220 (this mostly comprised of university students

Number of secondary schools represented: TWO

Duration: >5 hours

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

The megacity of Lagos has an estimated population of 24 million. And it’s constantly growing, putting additional strain on a city that already has serious challenges. They include heavy traffic congestion, flooding, air pollution and solid waste generation.

The waste economy in Lagos is huge. It is well connected with the domestic formal economy and has also established links into trans-border trade with neighbouring and distant countries.

But managing the city’s solid waste remains an intractable problem. While there have been some improvements, for example in solid waste policies, investment and management practices, these have mainly benefited the formal waste system.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

  • To mobilize youths towards solving the menace of solid waste in society.
  • Create awareness about waste generation and the need to take responsibility for ensuring a clean and healthy environment
  • Encouraging waste reduction and improper disposal in the premises.

OVERVIEW

World Cleanup Day is a global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, including the problem of marine debris. The first World Cleanup Day was held on September 15, 2018– where over 17.8 million people in about 157 countries participated. The second annual World Cleanup Day was held on September 21, 2019. This event was held in nearly every country, hence having litter cleanup activities that spanned across every timezone. 

Our Cleanup event was focused on tackling the environmental challenges within our university community by mobilizing hundreds of positive-minded students into coordinated local and global actions against environmental degradation. To achieve this dream, we were open to support in the public and private sector; support from organizations that are enthusiastic about creating a sustainable environment.

METHODOLOGY

On Saturday 21st September 2019, U-Recycle partnered with The Green Club UNILAG to host a cleanup Festival in commemoration of the World Cleanup Day, featuring: a fitness session, street cleanups, eco-talks, games, an environmental pledge and much more.

This event was sponsored by Cycled Technologies and Keystone bank.

The Cleanup Festival commenced with a brief Fitness session to pump everyone up and get the participants in their best of moods as we set out to commence the street cleanup. Amidst smiles and brightly colored yellow, green and blue shirts, the attendees were divided into three teams to Clean up three litter sites, namely: Unilag gate, Indomie bridge and the Lagoon front. Then, cleaning materials such as hand gloves, face masks, rakes, brooms, parkers and bin bags were distributed among the teams. After a short trek participants arrived at their various cleanup sites and the cleaning lasted for approximately 2 hours. In the end, we were able to clean up about 200 kg of solid waste.

Shortly afterwards, attendees returned to the meeting point and washed their hands. Snacks and drinks were served and later, there were enlightening talk sessions by two guests who focused on educating the audience on climate change and the need for all to ACT NOW. These guests highlighted effective ways the participants can take immediate action towards promoting a clean and healthy environment– and in foresight, tackle climate change.

The Cycled treasure hunt was played soon after: Bottles wrapped in blue ribbons were hidden all around the park and attendees were to search for these bottles. At the end of the game, the winners were rewarded with cash and airtime prizes.

We ended the Festival with a pledge to the environment. Every participant made an environmental pledge and commitment towards preserving the environment as they dipped their hands into colouring and stamped it on a plain fabric.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

  • Our projects was  featured in The Nigerian Tribune Newspaper Online

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

  • Cycled Technologies
  • Keystone bank