MONROVIA – Champions for Nature Conservation Liberia (CNCL) has graduated 20 young people from its first cohort of the Youth Innovative Plastic Waste Management Training, equipping them with skills in recycling, upcycling, waste management and environmental entrepreneurship.
By Francis G. Boayue
The graduation ceremony was held Thursday, September 24 at the University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the University of Liberia’s Fendell Campus.
The four-month training was implemented under CNCL’s “From Trash to Treasure: Community-Based Plastic Waste Management and Circular Economy in Liberia” project, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, CNCL Executive Director, Moses A. Massah, said the initiative seeks to address plastic pollution, particularly in urban communities where poor waste management contributes to blocked drainage systems, flooding and environmental degradation.
Massah said the project promotes a “reduce, reuse, recycle and recover” approach while creating opportunities for young people, women, waste collectors and small businesses.
“The overall goal of this project is to transform plastic waste from an environmental problem into an opportunity for cleaner communities, green employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Liberia,” Massah stated.
He disclosed that CNCL established community-based plastic collection systems, including collection points and two buying stations, while supporting the development of small plastic recycling enterprises.
According to Massah, four student groups participated in practical activities, with two emerging as the leading groups. The two groups are expected to receive further support to establish small waste management enterprises.
Keynote speaker and former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Nathaniel Blama urged the graduates to turn environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“If you want to be important in a society, if you want to be important in a community, if you want to be important in this country, solve the problem,” Blama told the graduates.
Blama also called for stronger policies to minimize single-use plastics and urged the introduction of environmental education at the primary-school level.
Meanwhile, UNDP Program Analyst Michael Vawah encouraged the graduates to apply their skills in their communities and develop businesses around plastic waste.
“Plastic waste should not only be viewed as a problem. With the right skills, technology and entrepreneurial mindset, waste can become a resource,” Vawah said.
The project is expected to conclude at the end of September, with CNCL pledging continued support for the graduates and participating communities.
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