Ghanaian Environmentalist Creates Plastic Waste Christmas Tree to Highlight Pollution

Accra resident, Makafui Awuku, has constructed a Christmas tree entirely from discarded plastic bottles in a bid to highlight Ghana’s growing waste management crisis.

The eye-catching installation, unveiled ahead of the yuletide season, is made from hundreds of plastic bottles collected from streets and landfill sites across the capital.

Awuku, a sustainability advocate, hopes the unconventional Christmas tree will encourage Ghanaians to rethink their consumption habits and the environmental impact of single-use plastics.

“The project was designed to show that waste can be repurposed creatively,” Awuku told Reuters. “If we can see waste differently, we can reduce the damage we are doing to our environment.”

Ghana is estimated to produce thousands of tonnes of plastic waste daily. A significant portion of this waste ends up clogging drains, polluting beaches, and accumulating in landfills due to insufficient recycling infrastructure and lax enforcement of waste disposal regulations.

Environmental groups have consistently raised concerns over the detrimental effects of plastic pollution, including increased flooding risks, threats to marine ecosystems, and potential health hazards, especially in highly populated urban centres.

The unique Christmas tree has quickly gained traction, drawing crowds and widespread attention on social media platforms, sparking conversations about sustainable practices.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE