As plastic pollution increases in several slum communities in Sierra Leone, the BCRS project team, on 7th February 2026, sensitized locals in the Cockle Bay slum on plastic waste issues. Our goal was to let them know that plastic, if improperly managed post-use, can become a nuisance to humans, animals, society, and the environment, while if handled properly, it can be a valuable resource with numerous social, economic, and ecological benefits.
We therefore educated community members on how the disposal of plastic waste in drains, sewers, streams, on the street, and in landfills can cause floods, blockages, marine pollution, and methane emissions, amongst several other environmental impacts. We also informed them about how we use single-use plastic waste to produce ecobricks for construction and outdoor pavement, and imparted this knowledge to youth and women in communities where the plastic pollution crisis is severe.
We employed a door-to-door approach to pass on our message. We engaged more than 100 households in Cockle Bay, prioritizing different groups, including children, youth, women, adults, and older people, who were excited to learn from our team. The conclusion of the event marks the second time the BCRS project team has raised awareness of plastic pollution in slums, with the Kroo Bay slum being the first community sensitized in September 2025.