Hey there, Creathon participants!

Before we dive into our discussion about waste, we have a fun activity to get us started. We'd like each of you to introduce yourselves in a short video vlog. Just give us a quick glimpse into who you are, where you're from, and maybe share a fun fact or hobby! Oh, and don't forget to tell us what you think about waste in your country—that'll be our segue into the main discussion.

Now, let's get down to business: Today, we're focusing on waste! We want to hear what you think about the stuff that piles up in our streets and homes. Here are some questions to get you thinking:

• What's the deal with waste? What's your take on waste in your country? Have you ever really paid attention to it?

• Types of trash: What kind of waste bothers you the most? Is it the overflowing bins on the street, or maybe it's the plastic bottles scattered around?

• Your own trash habits: Do you ever stop and think about the waste you generate yourself? Are you big on recycling, or do you just toss everything in the trash without a second thought?

• Waste woes: What are the biggest trash problems in your community? Overflowing landfills, littered streets, or something else?

• Any cool solutions? Have you heard about any cool projects or ideas to tackle the waste problem? Maybe your community has its own composting scheme or a campaign to reduce single-use plastics.

We're not looking for textbook answers here—just your honest thoughts and experiences. So, after you've introduced yourselves in your video vlogs, let's gather 'round and have a chat about trash!

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

My name is Mudiyamilat Ahmad, and I am a student at the Federal University of Technology Minna in Nigeria, majoring in Chemistry. I am thrilled to be part of this project and eager to share and learn from everyone here. In my free time, I enjoy crafting, writing, and exploring new subjects.

My take on waste:

I personally do no like wasting food or any kind of items and prefer recycling, minimizing or giving out the items rather than see it waste.

The kind of waste that bothers me :

I'm most bothered about wasting food and clothes. And I also find littered food, clothes, plastic on the floor or roadside disturbing because it contributes to environmental pollution.

My trash habits:

I give out the things I don't want anymore to those who need it and also find some other ways to recycle some into something I can use again.

Waste woes:

I'm concerned about the wastes littered around the street, clogged sewages and land filled with waste.

Any cool solution :

Currently, the government is working on creating a free flowing sewage in my environment.

Thank you

My take on waste:

I don’t like waste of any sort and therefore try to curb it by limiting overconsumption and prioritizing recycling of various materials. I also try to give out clothes and items I find I’m not using anymore rather than letting it sit and serve no purpose.

I've been trying to upload a video, but padlet does not let me, unfortunately.

So, there is a link where you can see it.

About me:

I'm AbdulWaheed Ayuba by name. A student from the department of Animal Production Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. I hail from Oyo state, south-west region of Nigeria. And in coming days, 19th of this month(May) precisely, I will be 25.

Waste is a very crucial pollutants in our immediate environment of which its management is very vital for environmental sustainability and public health. Waste refers to any unwanted or discarded material or substance. It can be generated from various sources, including household activities, industrial processes, agriculture, and commercial activities.

Taking where I come from as a case study, Nigeria, I mean. Factors contributing to waste generation are and not limited to rapid urbanization, population growth and industrialization. Types of waste commonly found in Nigeria are solid wastes (refuses), liquid wastes (sewages), plastics wastes, electronic waste (e-waste) and hazardous wastes, among others.

Having identity the forms of wastes we have, then definitely, there's need to provide or implement a suitable wastes recycling means to reduce the degradation effect of these waste in our environment. Recycling is the most efficient and efficacious waste management methodology that can be implemented to drastically reduce the volume and intense of waste around us. Cultural forms and government polices can also be effective in waste management.

It is evidentiary, that improper waste management or inadequate waste management practices will have an adverse consequences on our environment, social and economic societies.

Measures to control improper waste disposal are

• Adequate waste management

• Proper waste disposal habit

• Create of awareness on the important of good waste management

• Government policies

• Recycling etc.

Lastly, I'm elated to be part of this community and I hope our collaboration here will birth a resolution to waste and its management. Being here is a golden privilege and a rare opportunity and I'm glad to meet you all here. I'm willing to learn, unlearn and relearn. Thank you for reading.😊

I’m student of Business Administration faculty at Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), which is located in Tbilisi, Georgia 🇬🇪

I’m so glad to be a part of this project.

New challenges is very interesting and exciting thing in my student life. I hope that our work will have great result.

Thank you.

I am a seamstress

I Co-founder a fashion brand called Helen's Vogue where we focus on creating perfect outfits for women.

I am honored to be a part of the upcoming project and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to contribute. I hope to share a positive and impactful experience with everyone involved.

My take on waste:

I sincerely do not like any form of waste, especially clothing and food wastage. My little way of reducing waste is by donating unused items to people that actually need it the most instead of throwing it away and causing environmental pollution.

I'm a budding microbiologist with an ardent passion geared towards nation-building.

I love being on chess boards with friends, and I also relish driving at high speeds.

I'm a Nigerian, currently based in the north-central region of the country.

Waste in my county is quite a big deal for some of us staying in areas that are still underdeveloped.

Both plastic bottles and tree litter bother me a lot.

Truth be told, I don't patronize recycling; I always throw waste into the bin.
Unavailability of waste management personnel.

My university has a club called Keep FUTMINNA Clean, and they are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the environment is rendered clean.

My take on waste:

We must find ways to reinvent the wheels on how to minimise waste, it is scarily doing more harm than good daily.

Type of waste that bothers me:

I am that guy that seems like a weirdo because he refuses to just litter the environment with even the smallest package material after finishing the product.

It's disturbing having everywhere littered without proper disposal.

Trash habit:

My close friends know me to be the one who would scold them for improper disposal of waste.

Waste woes:

No proper disposal method. People just keep pouring wastes heaps upon heaps. Some burn in the open.

Any cool solution?

There is an ongoing development in the community by the government. I suggest the masses should be educated about proper disposal methods. Community awareness programmes in schools could play a major role.

• General Thoughts on Waste: "In Lagos, waste management is a significant challenge. The streets often have litter, and waste disposal systems are not as efficient as they could be. There is a noticeable effort to improve, but more needs to be done."

• Types of Waste: "Plastic waste is a big issue here. Plastic bottles and bags are commonly seen on the streets and in waterways, causing pollution and health hazards."

• Personal Waste Habits: "I try to reduce my waste by avoiding single-use plastics and reusing items when possible. However, recycling facilities are not always accessible, which makes it challenging to recycle consistently."

• Community Waste Challenges: "One of the biggest problems in my community is the lack of proper waste segregation and disposal. Many people dispose of all their waste together, leading to environmental pollution and health issues."

• Innovative Solutions: "I recently heard about a local initiative that converts organic waste into compost, which helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and provides valuable fertilizer for farming. Such projects are promising and need more support."

In my country, managing waste presents significant hurdles. Despite ongoing efforts, issues such as illegal dumping and inefficient waste disposal systems persist.

Overview of Waste Management

"Lagos grapples with waste management challenges. The streets are often cluttered with litter, and the existing waste disposal systems fall short of being efficient. Although there are visible attempts to address the problem, much more progress is needed."

Specific Waste Issues

"Plastic waste is a particularly severe problem. Plastic bottles and bags are frequently discarded on the streets and in waterways, leading to pollution and posing health risks."

Personal Waste Management Practices

"I strive to minimize my waste by steering clear of single-use plastics and reusing items whenever possible. However, the limited availability of recycling facilities makes consistent recycling difficult."

Community Waste Management Problems

"A major issue in my community is the lack of proper waste segregation and disposal practices. Many residents dispose of all their waste together, resulting in environmental pollution and health hazards."

Promising Solutions

"I recently learned about a local project that transforms organic waste into compost. This initiative not only reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills but also produces valuable fertilizer for agriculture. Such innovative projects are promising and deserve greater support."

Additional Insights

"Another pressing issue is the education and awareness about waste management. Many people are unaware of the environmental impact of improper waste disposal. Increasing public awareness and providing education on effective waste management practices could play a crucial role in mitigating these challenges."