A dedicated team of volunteers from the University of Cape Coast and the Cape Coast community embarked on a significant clean-up exercise over the weekend along the shores of Ola Beach to combat the ever-growing issue of plastic pollution.
Armed with bags, gloves, and an unwavering commitment to the environment, these volunteers scoured the sands, picking up every piece of plastic they could find.
But this wasn’t just a clean-up as it was also a meticulously organized data-gathering exercise.
Each piece of plastic collected was catalogued by the volunteers. The types of plastics, their sizes, and their possible origins were recorded.
This according to the Co-founder of ReEco15, Ms. Nyuiemedi Dzramado will not only help in understanding the scale of plastic pollution on the shores but also in shaping future environmental policies and recommendations.
Explaining the process used in sorting plastic waste, Ms. Dzramado mentioned that they sorted according to brands to identify those contributing to environmental pollution.
By categorizing the waste based on the type of brand and material, they aimed to hold accountable the responsible brands by providing them with reports detailing the specific materials polluting particular areas.
She revealed saying “Most of the brands are those that produce water, so water sachets it and water bottles.”
Ms. Nyuiemedi Dzramado also underscored the need for understanding the sources of the materials picked to enable them to work with local businesses and policymakers to implement effective solutions.
She recommended that companies implement take-back programs for their products, particularly focusing on sachets.
“They will be keeping it down for you because they realize that when they bring it back, you’re going to pay them. These companies can employ and then recycle. And it will also help them as well. They don’t have to go for virgin materials to produce their packages. No, they recycle what has already been used and then it’s a win-win for everybody.” red
Project organizer of TEDx UCC, Prince Zigli speaking to ATL FM NEWS indicated that the clean-up exercise formed part of activities to kick-start the TEDx event on campus
As such he said, to raise awareness and promote the event, they organized a clean-up campaign.
We have recognized the environmental challenges we face, and we’ve partnered with local organizations to address this by cleaning up our community in Cape Coast…We urge everyone, especially the locals, to be mindful of how they dispose of their waste and to do so properly. white
On his part, Dennis Baffour-Awuah, founder of Love for Science indicated that the clean-up exercise is aimed at fostering community engagement, raising awareness about environmental issues, and setting a precedent for future conservation efforts.
He said the exercise is a step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the planet.
“While we can clean the area, educating those who use it to dispose of waste properly is vital. It’s a social responsibility, and we are committed to making a positive impact,” he continued.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
