Plastic Pollution: Group Tasks Nigerians On Behavioural Change

The Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE) International has called for a positive behavioural change among Nigerians toward plastic pollution.
Mrs Temitope Okunnu, the Founder of FABE, made the call during the clean-up of Okun-Ajah Beach on Thursday in Lagos.
The Tide source reports that FABE International partnered Cardtonic to clean-up o Okun-Ajah Beach on Thursday.
The training of women and children in recycling and upcycling activities in the community was part of the clean-up themed: “Plastic Free July”
Okunnu said that the residents should not only be concerned with the recycling rewards but sustainability as a lifestyle.
“It is ‘Plastic Free July’ and we are ending the month of July with the beach clean-up at Okun-Ajah community in collaboration with Cardtonic.
“Recycling is an activity that has gained popularity in Lagos state and that is why the residents feel they should get paid before any clean-up.
“Yes, there are monetary rewards for recycling but our aim as an organisation is to get the residents to have the necessary behavioural change for a sustainable environment.
“We want people to recycle not just because of the reward they may get from it, but because it has become a lifestyle to preserve the environment,” Okunnu said.
The environmentalist, however, commended women in the community for drive in eradicating plastic pollution through upscale recycling activities.
According to her, women in the Okun-Ajah community have taken it upon themselves to rid the beach of plastics.
“They call us every other week that they are ready for a pick-up to the recycling hubs.
“They engage children and friends in the plastic collection that is why you see we have fewer plastics to pick at the beach this year compared to last year’s clean-up.
“We are happy with the behavioural change we witnessed as regards plastic pollution.
“The resident participants at clean-up will be rewarded with food items, home appliances and gifts aside the points they get from recycling pet bottles,” she said.