World Cleanup Day is a day set to unite millions of volunteers, governments, and organisations in 191 countries to tackle the global waste problem and build up a new and sustainable world.
Mckingtorch Africa partnered with DHL and Hapag-Lloyd AG to clean up the Regional Maritime University beachfront in the city of Accra which is one of the most polluted beach fronts in Accra with heavy fabric and plastic waste contamination with over 10 feet deep of fabric waste on the beach sand.
The plastic waste bottles recovered were passed on for recycling.
Mckingtorch Africa is a social enterprise founded and led by globally renowned Awuku Makafui that recycles and upcycles so-called plastic waste into everyday household products and installations. They also advocate and train organizations and individuals on how to care for the environment, through recycling, reuse, and art making.
Another organization that participated in the #worldcleanupday is Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). GAYO is one of the fast-rising climate action group in Africa. Their cleanup exercise took place at the Sango Beach Teshie. GAYO interestingly moved an extra mile to perform a brand audit on the plastic waste collected.
“ Today marked another edition of the #worldcleanupday where we added value by introducing our yearly #brandaudit where we record data on plastic waste to help identify the companies responsible for plastic pollution and hold them accountable. We appreciate all our sponsors and partners for this year’s #brandaudit “ – GAYO (Linkedin)
According to a 2016 study ( link:https://www.globalplasticaction.org/countries/ghana) Ghana generates around 1.1 million tons of plastic waste per year of which only 5% is collected for recycling.
It is estimated that About 7% of Ghana’s land area is considered coastal, and about a quarter of the country’s population resides there. The rising plastics pollution, especially in coastal communities, affects marine lives which nature including mankind heavily depends on.
The work of Mckingtorch and little exercises such as beach cleanup will be very crucial to achieving a safer and sustainable planet by 2030.
