The campaign is part of a larger effort to instill a culture of environmental responsibility among citizens- Photo: Siaway T. Miapue
PAYNESVILLE – In a concerted effort to tackle Liberia’s growing plastic waste problem, Reduction of Waste (ROW), in collaboration with the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), on Saturday, December 21 launched a day-long cleanup campaign. The initiative focused on removing plastic waste from one of the city’s busiest corridors, spanning ELWA Junction to Duport Road Junction.
By: Siaway T. Miapue, contributing writer, [email protected]
Plastic waste, widely recognized as a major environmental hazard, took center stage in the campaign as organizers sought to rid the streets of litter while educating the public on proper disposal methods. Volunteers from ROW and others can be seen collecting heaps of plastic debris and engaging with residents along the route.
ROW’s Deputy Program Manager, Mambia educating petit traders on proper disposal methods- Photo: Siaway T. Miapue
Nenwokay Mambia, ROW’s Deputy Program Manager, described the campaign as part of a larger effort to instill a culture of environmental responsibility.
“This initiative is about more than just cleaning up,” Mambia said. “We are focused on changing the way people think about waste, particularly plastics, and encouraging them to adopt better practices that will protect the environment and public health.”
Precious Ngufua, a volunteer with ROW, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for more community involvement. “Everyone has a role to play in keeping our environment clean. Small steps like proper waste disposal can make a big difference,” she said.
According to environmental experts, plastic waste poses major risks across all sectors. In marine ecosystems, it harms aquatic life when animals ingest or become entangled in plastic debris, disrupting fisheries and affecting food security. On land, plastic degrades soil fertility and can leach toxic chemicals into groundwater, endangering agriculture and public health.
Urban areas are also affected, as plastic waste clogs drainage systems, leading to flooding and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Additionally, burning plastic releases harmful chemicals that exacerbate respiratory problems and contribute to climate change. The production and disposal of plastic also generate significant greenhouse gas emissions, further impacting the environment.
Founded to address Liberia’s growing waste management challenges, ROW is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting sustainable environmental practices through education, advocacy, and action. Since its inception, the group continued to lead clean-up campaigns, community awareness programs, and partnerships aimed at reducing waste and its impact on public health and the environment.
Precious Ngufua, a volunteer with ROW seen educating about the danger of plastic waste on the environment- Siaway T. Miapue
While the campaign was well-received, residents along the route raised concerns about the absence of infrastructure to support proper waste disposal.
“Cleaning plastic from the street is good, but without trash cans on the streets, it’s hard for us to maintain cleanliness,” said Emmanuel Doe, a resident near ELWA Junction.
Patience Williams, another resident near Duport Road Junction, shared similar frustrations. “We understand the importance of waste disposal, but there is need for more from government. It na plenty to tell people what to do; we need the material to do it,” she noted.
Nenwokay Mambia called for collaborative action to address these issues. “We are urging government agencies, private stakeholders, and the community to come together to establish sustainable waste management solutions. Infrastructure like trash cans and regular garbage collection services are critical,” she said.
ROW hopes this campaign will inspire more grassroots movements and partnerships aimed at addressing Liberia’s waste management challenges. With the spotlight on Paynesville’s streets, the initiative serves as both a wake-up call and a blueprint for tackling one of Liberia’s most pressing environmental issues.
