Community-Driven Waste Management for a Cleaner Future

Vanuatu | Community-Driven Waste Management for a Cleaner Future - Erakor Bridge Youth | 2024

Halo olgeta!

We are Erakor Bridge Youth, a group of young leaders dedicated to solving waste management challenges in Port Vila. In 2024, we launched our Community-Driven Waste Management Initiative, a campaign to clean up public spaces, educate residents, and implement sustainable waste solutions. Our mission? To restore and protect the environment by reducing pollution, promoting recycling, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

• 🤩 How young?

  18 to 25 years old

• 📍 Where in Vanuatu?

  Erakor Bridge, Port Vila

The Right-Sized Problem

Erakor Bridge and surrounding areas face ongoing waste disposal challenges, with plastic pollution, lack of community-led waste initiatives, and improper waste disposal harming the environment. Without structured waste collection systems and public awareness, the problem continues to grow, polluting the lagoon and affecting local livelihoods.

What did we do?

Through community clean-ups, advocacy, and environmental education, we engaged residents, children, and local authorities to create a sustainable waste management system.

Offline Impact

🗑️ Community Clean-Up & Waste Separation Initiative –

• Conducted a series of clean-up events at Erakor Bridge, removing waste from public areas and the lagoon.

• Established separate waste bins for plastic, organic, and non-recyclable materials.

🌱 Child-Led Conservation Projects –

• Launched “Pikinini Garden” & “Pikinini Seedlings”, engaging children in tree planting and environmental education.

• Integrated hands-on conservation activities into local schools, ensuring youth participation in environmental protection.

🏛️ Strategic Partnerships & Local Advocacy –

• Collaborated with Oxfam Vanuatu, World Vision Vanuatu, and Vanuatu Climate Action Network to expand waste management efforts.

• Welcomed DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade) officials, showcasing youth-led waste solutions.

🎭 Creative Environmental Advocacy –

• Organized public performances & awareness campaigns to encourage responsible waste disposal practices.
  

Online & Media Impact

📱 Social Media Awareness & Engagement –

• Used Facebook to highlight success stories and mobilize community members for clean-up events.

• Created impact videos and digital campaigns to reach a wider audience.

Campaign Impact

• 3,200+ people engaged in waste management and clean-up activities.

• New waste bins installed for structured disposal and separation.

• Stronger youth participation in environmental leadership.

• Government officials acknowledged and praised youth-led waste management solutions.

• Partnerships with Oxfam, World Vision, and Vanuatu Climate Action Network strengthened.

One of the biggest successes was the recognition from DFAT officials, proving that youth-driven environmental solutions are making a tangible impact.

What’s Next?

We are scaling up our impact by:
📌 Expanding the waste bin project to more locations in Port Vila.
📌 Developing long-term waste management strategies with government support.
📌 Launching a digital campaign to spread awareness on proper waste disposal.

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