Event Report: Empower, Innovate & Sustain – A Workshop on Plastic Pollution and Waste Management

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Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – April 23, 2025

In a dynamic push for sustainability and innovation, the BlueGreen Initiative for Sustainable Development Network (BlueGreenISDN), in collaboration with the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI), hosted a one-day workshop themed “Empower, Innovate & Sustain” in Uyo. The event formed a strategic part of the groundbreaking #BottleToiletProject, an eco-sanitation initiative tackling plastic pollution and open defecation with creative, climate-smart solutions.

Held from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, the workshop brought together over 30 participants from various sectors—including government agencies, private institutions, civil society, and youth communities—united by a common goal: to advance sustainable waste management and foster inclusive climate action.

The project, piloting in Community Secondary School, Nkek, Ukanafun L.G.A, aims to demonstrate the practical reuse of plastic bottles in constructing toilet facilities. It supports Nigeria’s commitment to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially:

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 13: Climate Action

The event began with goodwill messages that echoed strong support for local innovations. The Executive Director of BlueGreenISDN, Mr. Ediongsenyene Ndunobong, welcomed participants with a compelling reminder of the urgency in tackling plastic waste and the need for synergy among stakeholders.

A key highlight was the presentation by Programs Manager, Mr. Ekemini Essien, who spoke on “Plastic Pollution: A Global Menace and the Path to Sustainable Waste Management.” The session shed light on the sources, impacts, and solutions to plastic pollution, calling on all sectors—policy makers, educators, private sector actors, and community leaders—to play their roles in driving change.

The discussion segment that followed opened up rich exchanges on sustainability, policy alignment, fire safety in construction, and the importance of education and maintenance culture.

Mr. Ismaila Shittu, representing ICCDI, inspired the room with the origin story of the Bottle Toilet Project, affirming its replicability across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Closing the workshop, Barr. MfrekeAbasi Okim, BlueGreenISDN’s Communications Lead, appreciated participants for their time, passion, and insights, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to innovation, climate education, and community well-being.

As the session wrapped with a group photo and reflection interviews, the energy in the room spoke volumes—this was more than a workshop; it was the beginning of a movement.

The Bottle Toilet Project is not just a response to environmental issues; it is a transformative model for dignity, access, and climate justice. By offering a solution that turns waste into wellness and pollution into potential, the project signals a bold new way forward—one that centers people, planet, and purpose