Group Warns FCT Community Against Indiscriminate Plastic Waste Disposal
As concerns about environmental degradation continue to grow, the Hearts Heartist Support Foundation has issued a strong warning to residents of the Gishiri community in Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the unchecked dumping of plastic waste. The foundation emphasized the severe environmental consequences of plastic pollution and urged the adoption of sustainable waste management practices.
The caution came during a community awareness campaign held on Monday in Gishiri, centered around Maale, a powerful theatre production created by writer and director Ruth Mahogany. The event was staged by the Hearts Heartist Support Foundation in collaboration with the Embassy of France, as part of activities marking World Environment Day 2025. This year’s global theme focuses on combating plastic pollution.
Addressing residents after the performance, Mahogany decried the growing contamination of urban spaces across Nigeria, attributing it in part to the rampant and irresponsible disposal of plastic materials. She noted that plastic waste can persist in the environment for up to 900 years without decomposing, posing a long-term threat to both ecological systems and public health.
“Plastic is not biodegradable. If you dump it here, you could return centuries later and still find it,” Mahogany said. “We must move away from the idea of treating plastic as waste. It can be repurposed, reused, and transformed into something valuable.”
She encouraged residents to explore creative recycling methods, noting that plastic could be converted into useful items such as packaging designs, artistic works, and even jewelry. “There are companies actively seeking plastic for recycling. If collected and packaged properly, this waste becomes a resource,” she added.
The theatrical production Maale was met with strong participation and enthusiasm from members of the Gishiri community. Told through indigenous narratives, the play combined storytelling, traditional dance, music, and symbolic elements to highlight environmental care, maternal mental health, and the need for communal responsibility.
Mahogany explained that beyond raising environmental consciousness, Maale also aimed to explore the emotional burden carried by mothers often overlooked in public discourse as they contend with societal, environmental, and domestic pressures.
“This project reminds us not only to respect our environment but also to care for the mental well-being of those who nurture and sustain life in our communities,” she said.
The event successfully sparked conversations around sustainability and practical action, encouraging grassroots solutions to a global crisis. The organizers hope the campaign will inspire similar community-led initiatives across Nigeria, especially in urban and peri-urban settlements facing mounting environmental challenges.
Plastic waste, especially from single-use items like sachets and bottles, remains a major contributor to blocked drainage systems, flooding, and the spread of waterborne diseases in cities such as Lagos and Abuja. Experts have long warned that without urgent behavioral and systemic change, Nigeria risks a full-scale environmental disaster.
With efforts like Maale and its message of creative environmentalism, however, hope remains that communities can lead the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future starting with the simple act of disposing of plastic responsibly.
Reference
Group Warns FCT Community Against Indiscriminate Plastic Waste Disposal