In a bid to celebrate HEDA Resource Centre’s 20 years of incorporation and 23 years of Impact, the leading civil society organization held community outreach events to raise awareness about pollution in Lagos within the community/market to educate participants on the importance of reducing single-use plastics. The campaign constitutes one of the events marking the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the HEDA Resource Centre.
The two-day community outreach held at Ipodo-Obada Market and Oluwole Central Mosque respectively had Engaging presentations that highlighted the adverse effects of plastic pollution on the environment, wildlife, and human health.
The Executive Secretary of HEDA Resource Centre, Mr Arigbabu Sulaimon enlightened the public through the media on the need to stop using single-use plastic like styrofoam simply because it’s detrimental to human health (causes cancer) and clogged the drainage system causing flooding in the environment.
He added, that the food and water brought in a reusable material is actually in celebration of HEDA’s 20th anniversary and 23rd year of impact in the society, and the logic behind is that we can USE, RESUSE, and RESUSE any plastic materials.
He highlighted that beyond celebration, community outreach is a tool used to promote behavioral change and raise awareness about major public issues. The current campaign focuses on reducing single-use plastic, with efforts to feed people using reusable packs to address both hunger and environmental concerns.
Furthermore, Mr. Taiwo Adewole, a key figure within the Lagos Recycler Association, elaborated on the Waste 2 Wealth program, an innovative initiative aimed at incentivizing waste management by transforming it into a source of income. Adewole highlighted that community members can exchange their plastics and cans for monetary compensation through the PARKAN mobile app, which is accessible to connect with the nearest LRA representative.
On the same note, the market leader of Ipodo Obada market in Ikeja – Mrs. Abiodun Adeapenu also emphasized the need to stop the usage of single-use plastics like styrofoam as it has been banned by the Lagos state commissioner on environment and water resources – Mr. Wahab Adetokunbo on the 21st January 2024.
Imam Sa’adullah Bello, the Chief Imam of the Oluwole Central Mosque, expressed appreciation towards HEDA Resource Centre for their dedication to raising awareness within the community regarding the detrimental impacts of utilizing styrofoam and single-use plastics. He further advocated for governmental collaboration with religious institutions to disseminate public information, suggesting inter-faith platforms and similar avenues as effective channels for community education. Chief Imam applauds HEDA’s initiative.
Practical demonstrations were conducted to showcase alternative eco-friendly products with reusable water bottles and reusable materials and sustainable practices that individuals can adopt to reduce the usage of single-use plastics or materials like styrofoam which has been banned by the Lagos state government.
Immediately after the interaction and practical demonstration on how to use the reusable water bottles and properly dispose of the single-use plastic materials into a nylon pack for the designated agency to pay them for the exchange of the plastic, the staff of HEDA Resource Centre dish out the food packaged in a reusable bowl with cover and a reusable water bottle for all participants, irrespective of sex, age, religion, and tribe.
The plastic pollution sensitization outreach event served as a platform to mobilize community members and market stakeholders toward collective action in combating plastic pollution. By fostering awareness and promoting sustainable practices, the event reinforces and augments the foundation for ongoing efforts to create a cleaner and greener environment for future generations.
