Technology Without Borders

Eco Plastic Week Celebration 2025

About the Project

The Eco Plastic Week Celebration is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness in schools, communities, and among the public about the plastic crisis and the strategies that can be employed to manage it. The theme for this year’s celebration was “EndPlastic Now”, signifying the urgent need for actions that will reduce or eliminate plastic pollution from our environment. The week-long celebration took place from 23rd to 29th June 2025. The event was handled by Technology Without Borders (TWB) regional group Tamale in partnership with other organizations such as Ummy Relief Foundation, EndPlastic Soup, and Neighbourhood Forest. Local stakeholders that collaborated in the execution included the Ghana Education Service (for the school-based programs) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The activities were conducted in a hybrid format (both online and in-person) to enable participation from international partners and individuals within Ghana who were outside the immediate project area. The launch of the Eco Plastic Week Celebration was held online on 23rd June to officially commence the week and provide insights into the scheduled activities. Guest speakers were invited to share their expertise on plastic-related issues. Dr Ralf Thiel, International Director of Health at EndPlastic Soup, Germany, delivered a presentation on plastics and their impact on health. His session aimed to increase awareness among participants about the health hazards associated with plastics and how they can be avoided. Fareeda Amankwa-Gabbey, Co-Director of GreenBox Afrik, presented her innovative work on using plastics to produce bags and other useful items. This was aimed at showcasing youth-led innovations and encouraging collaboration and partnerships from other stakeholders present at the webinar. On 24th June, an in-person outreach was conducted at two senior high schools in Tamale: Northern School of Business and Kalpohini Senior High School. The team, along with trained volunteers, engaged over 2,000 students with education on the causes, effects, and management of plastic waste. The session emphasized the "Six Rs" of plastic management: Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Recycle, Repair, and Rethink. Students were actively involved in discussions, encouraged to restate what they had learnt, and motivated to become climate warriors and innovators in plastic waste management. To ensure the message reached non-English-speaking populations, our team conducted outreach on 25th June at the Tamale Central Market, a hotspot for plastic waste generation. Traders and customers were educated in local dialects, particularly Dagbani, about the impact of plastic waste not only on pollution but also on climate change and human health. Participants were encouraged to clean their surroundings and clear nearby drains. Through this education, the team realized majority of the market men and women has no knowledge about the effects of plastics aside pollution calling for more education. This activity was carried out with the help of our volunteers and members of the public who joined in the effort. On 26th June, a creative event titled “Plastic Art and Upcycling Exhibition” was held. This brought together visual arts students from the partner schools and members of the public with a passion for art and environmental advocacy. A documentary session showcasing the plastic situation in Ghana and globally was screened. Afterwards, participants expressed their views through drawings and paintings, illustrating the problems and proposing visual solutions. This activity aimed at harnessing creative talent to raise awareness and serve as a lasting visual reminder when displayed in public spaces. To put the week’s education into action, a cleanup exercise and tree planting event were organized on 28th and 29th June in the partner schools. Shade-providing and fruit-bearing trees were planted with the participation of students and staff. This exercise also served as a hands-on learning opportunity on how to plant and nurture trees and the proper ways to manage plastic waste in practical settings. The 2025 Eco Plastic Week Celebration served as a timely and impactful intervention in addressing plastic waste concerns within Tamale and its surrounding communities. Through a combination of education, community outreach, creative expression, and practical action, the project successfully engaged diverse stakeholders and contributed to increased environmental consciousness.