This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 21, hundreds of volunteers will gather in Kilifi's Vipingo area to participate in a massive cleanup exercise, marking the official opening of the #1M Recycling Centre.
The centre will sort and recycle plastics, paper, and glass for the local community, addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution in the area.
Every day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into the world's oceans, with an estimated 5.25 trillion macro and microplastic pieces floating in the open ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes.
Kenya is not immune to this issue, and residents on the coast have begun to take action, with the Vipingo cleanup exercise being just one part of the solution.
Alongside the cleanup, educative talks will take place, as well as art competitions, football matches, and a live band, ensuring that participants are not only well-informed about the threats of plastics but also entertained.
