Have you ever wondered what happens to that plastic bottle you throw away today? Will it still be there when your grandchildren are your age? This is exactly the kind of thinking we need as we talk about World Environment Day 2025 and its powerful theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution” or as we like to call it at Edufun Technik STEM Hub, “Plastic to Purpose.”
A Wake-Up Call That Hit Home
During our World Environment Day event in Onitsha, something really stuck with us. Nelson Terdoo, our keynote speaker, made a statement that sent chills down everyone’s spine. He said,
“That wrap or plastic you disposed improperly – if no miracle happens, your children, children’s children’s children will come to where you disposed of it and still see it there. Imagine if that becomes the water you drink, the food you eat, the air you breathe. Think about the consequences.”
Those words hit differently, didn’t they? They made us realize that our actions today are writing the story of tomorrow’s world.
What World Environment Day 2025 Is Really About
World Environment Day in 2025 focuses on ending plastic pollution, with the Republic of Korea hosting the global celebrations. For decades, plastic pollution has seeped into every corner of the world, leaching into the water we drink, into the food we eat, and our bodies.
This year’s theme is not just about getting rid of plastic; it is about being smart with how we handle it. The day spotlighted the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and drove momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use to build a cleaner and more sustainable future.
The Student Projects That Opened Our Eyes
At our World Environment Day event for secondary school students in Onitsha, we saw some really cool projects. Students showed us how to turn plastic bottles into planters, flower vases, timer, plates, stationary holders, and flowers. and Their creativity was amazing!
But here is what we noticed: while many ideas were brilliant and innovative, some lacked something important – sustainability. Some students made beautiful things from plastic waste, but they did not think about what would happen to their creations in the long run. Would they last? Could they be reused again? Would they eventually end up as waste too?
This was our wake-up call. We realized that turning plastic to purpose is not enough if we do not think about sustainability at the same time.
What Does Sustainability Really Mean?
Let us break this down in simple terms. Sustainability means meeting our needs today without making it harder for future generations to meet their own needs. Think of it like this: if you have a garden, sustainability means picking fruits to eat while making sure the tree stays healthy enough to give fruits to your children and their children too.
When we talk about environmental sustainability, we are talking about using our natural resources – like water, air, soil, and forests – in a way that does not harm the environment or run out completely. It is like being a good guest in someone’s house – you use what you need but leave the place better than you found it.
Why Environmental Sustainability Matters (Especially in Nigeria)
Living in Nigeria, we see the effects of poor environmental choices every day. Let us be honest about our reality:
Our Water Story: In many Nigerian cities, clean water is becoming harder to find. Rivers that our grandparents used to drink from are now polluted with plastic waste and chemicals. Lagos lagoon, River Niger, and other water bodies are crying for help. When we do not practice sustainability, we are basically poisoning our own water sources.
Our Air Quality: Have you noticed how the air in Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha or Port Harcourt can be really thick and hard to breathe sometimes? Part of this comes from burning plastic waste and other poor waste management practices. When we do not handle our plastic waste properly, we end up breathing the consequences.
Our Food Security: Nigeria is blessed with fertile land, but poor environmental practices are making it harder to grow food. Plastic pollution in our soils affects crop growth. When plastic breaks down into tiny pieces (called microplastics), it gets into our food chain.
Our Economic Reality: As EPA administrator Carol Browner once said, “The environment and the economy go hand in hand.” The environment and the economy are really both two sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves. In Nigeria, environmental problems cost us money that could be used for schools, hospitals, and roads.
The Long-Term Thinking We Need
Here is where many plastic to purpose initiatives and innovation projects miss the mark. They focused on the “now” but forgot about the “later.” When we turn plastic waste into something useful, we need to ask ourselves:
- Will this last for years or just months?
- When this breaks down, will it create more waste?
- Can other people easily do this same thing?
- Does this solution work for one person or many people?
- Will this help reduce plastic waste in the long run?
Think about it like building a house. You do not just want walls that look good today – you want walls that will protect your family for many years to come.
Real Sustainability in Action
Let us talk about what real sustainability looks like when we turn plastic to purpose:
The Smart School Approach: Instead of just making one planter from a plastic bottle, what if we created a system where students across Nigeria could easily turn plastic bottles into planters, use them to grow food for their families, and when the bottles wear out, they know exactly how to recycle them properly?
The Community Impact: Rather than individual projects, what if we created plastic-to-purpose solutions that entire communities could use? Like turning plastic waste into building materials for schools or community centers that last for decades?
The Education Chain: Instead of one-time workshops, what if we created programs that train students to teach others? This way, one good idea spreads like wildfire across Nigeria.
Environmental Sustainability in Nigerian Context
As Nigerians, we need to understand that environmental sustainability is not just about saving polar bears or melting ice caps (though those matter too). It is about:
Protecting Our Heritage: Our forests, rivers, and wildlife are part of what makes Nigeria beautiful. When we practice sustainability, we are preserving this heritage for our children.
Building Our Economy: Nigeria has the chance to become a leader in sustainable technology and green jobs. Countries that invest in sustainability early often become economic powerhouses later.
Ensuring Our Health: The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all depend on a healthy environment. Sustainable practices mean healthier Nigerian families.
Preparing for Climate Change: Nigeria is already feeling the effects of climate change – from flooding in Lagos to droughts in the north. Sustainable practices help us adapt and prepare for these changes.
The Path Forward: Practical Steps
As environmentalist David Brower said, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” This means every decision we make about plastic waste should consider the children who will inherit our choices.
Here is how we can think sustainability alongside purpose:
Start with Questions: Before starting any plastic-to-purpose project, ask: “Will this help reduce plastic waste in the long run, or just move the problem somewhere else?”
Think Systems, Not Just Products: Instead of making one cool thing from plastic waste, think about creating systems that many people can use and that solve problems for years to come.
Measure Impact: Keep track of how much plastic waste your solution actually reduces over time. Real sustainability shows measurable results.
Share Knowledge: Make sure your solutions are easy to teach to others. The best sustainable solutions are ones that spread naturally.
Our Commitment Moving Forward
At Edufun Technik STEM Hub, we are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education, Climate Action, and Responsible Consumption. But we have learned that commitment is not enough – we need smart commitment.
This means every project we support, every workshop we host, and every student we teach will be asked to think about sustainability from day one. We want to create solutions that our grandchildren will thank us for, not problems they will have to solve.
The Final Challenge
As we wrap up, let us leave you with this challenge: the next time you see a piece of plastic waste, do not just think about what you can make from it today. Think about what kind of world you are creating for tomorrow.
Nelson Terdoo was right – that plastic you disposed of improperly could still be there when your great; grandchildren visit that spot. But here is the flip side: the sustainable solution you create today could still be helping people when your great-grandchildren are solving the world’s problems.
The choice is ours. We can turn plastic to purpose, or we can turn plastic to purpose sustainably. The difference might seem small today, but it is the difference between a temporary fix and a lasting solution.
World Environment Day 2025 is not just about one day of awareness, it is about 365 days of action. Let us make sure our actions count not just for today, but for all the tomorrows to come.
What will your sustainable solution be?
