On September 18, 2024, the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), in partnership with UNICEF Nigeria, launched a groundbreaking campaign for World Cleanup Day under the banner of the UNICEF Green Rising Project. This initiative aimed to tackle plastic pollution head-on, focusing on empowering informal waste pickers while addressing the pressing issue of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) in Kano, Abuja, and Lagos.
Our Mission
Our primary goal was ambitious yet achievable: recover 20 tons of plastic waste across the three cities and, most importantly, uplift informal youth waste pickers by equipping them with the skills, tools, and opportunities they need to integrate into the formal economy. At the heart of this project was our drive to develop sustainable solutions to the plastic waste crisis, primarily targeting SUPs that choke our landfills, waterways, and communities.



Key Achievements:
Over three days, our teams worked tirelessly in Lagos (Apapa Seashore), Abuja (Gbosa Dumpsite), and Kano (dumpsites and market areas) to recover plastic waste and build capacities for the future:
- Mobilized 777 Youth Waste Pickers: Each youth was provided with PPEs and essential safety training, ensuring their health and safety during the cleanup activities.
- Recovered 14,000 kg of Plastic Waste: Over 60% of the total waste collected was single-use plastics, highlighting the critical challenge of SUPs in Nigeria.
- Banking & Financial Inclusion: For 70% of the waste pickers, this project provided their first-ever access to financial services. We partnered with The Alternative Bank to help open bank accounts and register BVNs for the youth, giving them access to formal banking services.
- Training & Capacity Building: Participants received comprehensive training to identify new forms of plastic waste, particularly those found in local markets. This knowledge equips them with better skills for waste management in the future.
- Digital Integration: We developed an app to capture and register the biodata of the waste pickers, ensuring they are included in our digital platform, allowing for greater visibility and recognition.
- Innovative Technology: We leveraged blockchain technology through the Empower.eco Tracking system to monitor and track plastic recoveries in real-time, enhancing transparency and accountability in the process.
- Plastic Identification with trinamiX: Using the trinamiX GmbH device, we successfully categorized and identified previously unknown forms of plastic, improving recycling efforts and understanding of different plastic types.



A Step Toward Sustainability & Empowerment
This campaign was about much more than just cleaning up waste. It was about empowering youth, integrating waste pickers into the formal economy, and ensuring sustainable practices are adopted for the future. The tools, knowledge, and opportunities provided during this project will have a lasting impact on participants’ livelihoods, as well as on Nigeria’s overall environmental sustainability efforts.



A Word of Thanks
We extend our deepest gratitude to UNICEF Nigeria and Generation Unlimited for sponsoring this transformative project. Your unwavering commitment to empowering youth and addressing the global plastic crisis has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward. A special thank you to Bharat K. Kundra and Celine Lafoucriere for their incredible support and leadership throughout this journey.
Together, we’re making strides towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Nigeria, one plastic bottle at a time.