Waste-Free Future for Nguna Island

Vanuatu | Waste-Free Future for Nguna Island - Dausake Youth | 2024

Halo olgeta!

We are Dausake Youth, a passionate group working to tackle waste management and promote environmental conservation on Nguna Island. In 2024, we launched the Waste-Free Future Campaign, an initiative to develop local waste solutions, educate communities, and protect the natural beauty of our island. Our mission? To reduce pollution, implement sustainable waste disposal systems, and inspire young people to lead climate action in their communities.

• 🤩 How young?

  18 to 25 years old

• 📍 Where in Vanuatu?

  Nguna Island

The Right-Sized Problem

Nguna Island faces significant waste management challenges, with plastic pollution, lack of proper waste disposal, and limited environmental education threatening both land and marine ecosystems. Many communities lack structured waste collection systems, and waste often accumulates in public spaces, impacting livelihoods and biodiversity. Without urgent action, these issues will continue to harm the environment and local communities.

What did we do?

Through waste disposal innovations, environmental education, and hands-on community engagement, we mobilized local youth, schools, and community leaders to take action.

Offline Impact

♻️ Waste Management & Recycling Initiatives –

• Created waste disposal sites, compost bins, and coconut-leaf baskets to reduce plastic use.

• Promoted sustainable waste separation practices in households.

🌱 Community Beautification & Green Innovation –

• Built a community tree nursery to support reforestation efforts and sustainable farming.

• Demonstrated crop rotation techniques, helping farmers improve soil health and increase yields sustainably.

🏫 Environmental Education & Youth Engagement –

• Conducted eco-awareness sessions in schools, teaching students about waste reduction and climate change.

• Encouraged youth leadership in community-led environmental projects.

🎥 Filming & Global Storytelling –

• Hosted a filming crew from GCCU (London), capturing the impact of our environmental work.

• Shared our journey with a global audience, raising awareness about youth-led climate action in Vanuatu.
  

Online & Media Impact

📱 Social Media Awareness –

• Used Facebook & digital storytelling to highlight our waste management initiatives.

• Increased community engagement and volunteer participation.

📢 Strategic Partnerships & Future Collaborations –

• Currently working with SHIFT Officers to develop long-term partnerships for continued support and funding.

Campaign Impact

• Hundreds of community members engaged in waste management education.

• New waste disposal sites and composting initiatives established.

• Stronger environmental awareness in local schools and community spaces.

• Increased visibility through international media exposure.

• Shifted community attitudes toward sustainable waste management.

A notable success was the adoption of waste separation practices in local homes, showing that small changes lead to long-term environmental impact.

What’s Next?

We are scaling up our sustainability efforts by:
📌 Expanding waste disposal projects to neighboring villages.
📌 Strengthening school-based environmental education programs.
📌 Partnering with NGOs to enhance long-term waste management solutions.

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