Women are turning plastic waste into bags

Plastic bags have a negative impact on the environment. This problem is still a global concern because it does not biodegrade.

“In Yola, the capital city of Nigeria, women are turning plastic garbage into colorful crocheted bags. They are earning a decent living and helping clean waste from the streets. Twice a week, women gather to collect and clean bags as part of the Waste to Wealth recycling program. They then use various crochet patterns to make mats, bags and other colorful accessories. The bags sell for between $3 and $47 depending on size and quality. The program has trained over 300 women so far.

„This job has really helped me. Now I can pay my children’s school fees. I can buy food for my family and also help my relatives through this job“ said Aishatu Mohammed, a program participant.

„We have made 7 million from the sales of these products that goes back to the women. So we’ve seen a single woman alone make over 1.5 to 2 million naira ($4.918-$6.557) alone because she was extremely good. She has bought land, she’s got a computer, she has trained her children in school“ explains Raymond Obindu, the program Coordinator.

Residents of northeast Nigeria are rebuilding after a seven-year bid by the armed group Boko-Haram to create its own state. 1.8 million people were displaced. Initiatives like this are helping revamp the economy.” (AJ+, 2017)

Sources:

http://www.livescience.com/33085-petroleum-derived-plastic-non-biodegradable.html

https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/944525845688923/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

http://www.reuters.com/video/2017/04/23/nigerian-women-crochet-bags-from-plastic?videoId=371537497

http://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/world-news/turning-litter-into-handbags-nigerian-women-make-fashion-accessories-from-carrier-bags/video-QKMLpyJ5RMBkCbzuC7M7FK.html

https://globalreportingblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/14/nigeria-and-the-menace-of-plastic-bags/