Story, Tembe Ophilia Enjoh

Imagine a future where discarded plastic doesn’t choke our environment but sparks innovation and opportunity. In Cameroon’s North West Region, that future is arriving, driven by resourceful young people. Through a recent workshop in Bamenda, over 70 local youths learned to transform plastic waste into valuable, reusable goods, not only tackling pollution but also building sustainable livelihoods.

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This initiative, a collaboration between environmental civil society organizations and the Regional Delegation for Environment, is empowering students from secondary schools and universities to craft everything from toothbrush cups and chairs to pavement blocks and flower pots, proving that creativity can truly beat plastic pollution.

According to Chiaga Eric, the Coordinator for the network of Environmental stakeholders in Cameroon, NESCAM, the workshop dope “community action to tackle plastic pollution” is aimed at creating awareness in the youths to understand the impact of plastics on the environment which include;  floods and pollution. It is a threat to both human and wildlife. The workshop equally aimed at training the youths on how to transform plastics into goods that can generate income thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in the Country.

Participants from the workshop expressed deep satisfaction after the training. Penn Ndikeh, a volunteer for one of the civil society organisations confessed gaining knowledge in the areas of plastic Valorization. He equally acknowledged the timely nature of the training which coincides with the theme for the World Environment Day 2025 – “Best plastic pollution”. He hopes to use the knowledge gained to reduce the amount of plastics in the society.

Forsuh Emmaculate, a female participant noted that she has learned how to manage plastics in her home, neighborhood and as well transform it into other goods she has been thought to. She looks forward to transfering the knowledge gained to other youths in her community. To Mue Danis Kpue, the Regional Delegate for MINEPDED in the Northwest Region, this training represents a joint effort by environmental stakeholders. The core aim is sensitization, specifically to reduce plastic quantities across the region. Kpue urges young people to reduce, reuse, or recycle plastics. He also advocates for “refusing” or “rethinking” plastic use entirely. If plastics must be used, he advises reusing those above 61 microns. Kpue encourages other organizations involved in plastic valorization to partner with existing initiatives, hoping to train more youths and ultimately free the region from plastic pollution.