These activities, frequently carried out without protective measures, have been linked to cancers, liver and kidney diseases, respiratory problems, and even birth defects.

In Spain, the Educational Association Reciclanet in Bilbao, a pioneering approach to electronic waste management, is transforming discarded technology into valuable resources, while curbing environmental harm and supporting the circular economy .

Reciclanet specialises in collecting obsolete IT equipment from companies and educational institutions, reconditioning viable devices, and responsibly recycling those beyond repair.

“We let only those that will be able to be reused pass,” explained Andrea Valiente, a representative of the centre. “If it does not have the minimum characteristics that people are willing to accept, it goes directly to what we call CHAE, electronic junk.”

The process involves meticulous sorting —green-coded items for reuse, yellow for repair, and red for waste— which ensures that hazardous components like lead, mercury, and cadmium are handled by licensed waste managers.

These discarded devices are dismantled to extract critical materials such as copper, lithium, tungsten, and even gold . As Valiente noted, “Europe needs [these] to boost the circular economy.”

The centre’s work also responds to concerns over the unethical export of unusable electronics to Africa under the guise of donations. Investigations have shown that much of the shipped material is scrap, leaving local communities to manage hazardous waste.

“The material that is sent is not of practical use… for me, I think [they] throw it away directly,” Valiente said, referencing a European Union probe that found countries like England and Poland breaking export laws.

Globally, e-waste generation is growing at an alarming rate, estimated between 60,000 and 71,000 tonnes annually, with a 17% year-on-year increase, according to the World Health Organisation.

The documentary linked to Reciclanet’s work was filmed at electronic waste sites in Ghana and Cameroon, with interviews in Spain. It was produced by Asociación Sociocultural Afrika Miniaturan in partnership with Asociación Cultural Ghana Union, with funding from the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

A 2024 report published by Ghana's Audit Service stated that the country produces about 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year, of which 9.5% is recycled and the remainder is carelessly disposed of without consideration for the effects on the environment .

The community-led shift has not only improved sanitation but also created economic opportunities for many locals.

“When rain falls like this, the pure water, rubbish, and water bottles are always roaming, and the community always floods , and the gutters always choke,” one resident explained. “But for now, the cleanup has changed everything. Now, in some places, the gutters are always neat,” she told Viory. 

Another community member noted the cultural change in waste disposal habits: “Before, it created a lot of problems in our community. Plastic waste, they put it wherever... maybe gutters, maybe in the taxi, maybe in the trotro [public transport]. They would spread it a lot in the community. But now, I think the initiative they brought is helping us keep the plastic bottles on one side.”

The program also offers a financial lifeline to many low-income earners, especially women and youth who now collect and sell plastic waste to recycling centres.

“After recycling, we have plenty,” said another resident. “Before, the plastic rubbish, we didn’t use it for anything, they don’t sell it. But nowadays, I will go and pick up the rubbish and go and sell it for something. I can take money, I can buy food for myself, I can buy bread and everything. So now the recycling has done well for us to get profit from the pure water rubbish.”

Dangote Cement Plc has launched a plastic-to-fabric initiative as part of efforts to tackle plastic pollution and advance Nigeria’s circular economy. At a graduation ceremony for women trained in the programme at its Obajana Plant, Engr. Nawabuddin Azad, represented by Head of HR Adeniyi Azeez, said, “As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, inclusive community development, and innovative material reuse, Dangote Cement Plc has successfully concluded a five-week plastic-to-fabric training programme.” Head of Social Performance, Wakeel Olayiwola, added, “The training covered a range of practical techniques including washing, cutting, threading, weaving, and basic sewing, enabling participants to produce items such as tote bags, school bags, lunch bags, and purses,” Nature News quotes. 

Nigeria missing as Trump hosts African leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump will meet the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in Washington next week for trade-focused talks, but Nigeria is notably absent. A report by Naija News quoted a White House official, “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added, “Washington is phasing out ‘charity-based’ foreign aid in favour of partnerships with countries that show both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”

Nigeria’s first indigenous container vessel arrives Lagos

The M.V. Ocean Dragon, Nigeria’s first locally owned container vessel, docked at Tin Can Island Port carrying over 350 containers. Vice President of Clarion Shipping, Mrs. Benedine Eloka, called the arrival “the fulfilment of a long-term strategic plan.” She explained, “The vessel is not only designed for operations along Nigeria’s coastline but will also serve regional routes including Cotonou, Lome, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.” Bookings are already underway for shipments to Ghana and Lomé, and a second vessel is planned for direct service from China to Lagos, Daily Post reports.

Court finds Senator Natasha guilty of contempt, fines her N5m

The Federal High Court in Abuja has found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for publishing a satirical apology on Facebook to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, defying a gag order. Justice Binta Nyako ordered her to pay a N5 million (approximately US$3,269) fine and to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on Facebook within seven days, Vanguard Nigeria reports. The court declined to grant further relief to Senator Akpabio but proceeded to rule on the senator’s suit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate.

US indicts Nigerian in $14bn healthcare fraud

The US Department of Justice has charged Olatunbosun Osukoya, a Nigerian, along with 323 others in a nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud schemes causing $14.6 billion in intended losses. “Olatunbosun Osukoya, 67, of Plano, Texas, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with the submission of over $25 million in false and fraudulent medical claims,” the DOJ said. According to prosecutors, Osukoya recruited insured individuals for costly tests and paid bribes to physicians to refer patients to his company, Cambridge Diagnostics, the Punch Nigeria reports.

The majority—nearly 50%—ends up in landfills, while 19% is incinerated. Alarmingly, 22% of plastic waste is mismanaged, meaning it leaks into the environment through open dumping, uncontrolled burning, or being lost in nature, ultimately contributing to the growing crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and ecosystems.

The report also highlights the growing scale of the problem. Global plastic production has doubled since 2000, and it’s expected to continue climbing in the coming decades. In 2019 alone, 460 million tonnes of plastics were produced, with plastic waste generation reaching 353 million tonnes.

This surge in plastic use is driven by packaging, consumer goods, textiles, and construction. Yet recycling infrastructure and waste management systems have not kept pace, particularly in developing countries where informal waste disposal is more common.

Some countries have achieved higher recycling rates than others. For example, Germany recycles 46% of its plastic waste, while South Korea recycles 34%. Additionally, Japan, the United States and China recycle 26%, 8% and 5% of plastic waste respectively.

Despite these efforts, the failure to recycle plastic waste results in significant economic losses, with the value of plastic waste estimated to be around $100 billion annually.

It is advised that recycling infrastructure is improved to encourage the use of recycled plastics. Additionally, policies must be implemented to reduce single-use plastics and promote the use of sustainable alternatives.

As a school teacher, Maria Cordero described the event as a meaningful way to combine environmental conservation with community support. 

“It is a good measure to collect bottles, recycle, and give toys to children because that way joy comes to homes with parents who do not have resources,” she said while waiting in line with her three children.

Pamela Zoriano, a gas station worker, emphasised the environmental benefits of the programme. “It is greatly appreciated because when it rains heavily, the drains get clogged, and the area floods. By preventing this contamination, it truly makes a difference and is something that is genuinely valued,” she explained.

According to Mayor Carolina Mejia, the programme ensures that collected plastics are repurposed through collaborations with foundations and institutions. 

“Year after year, these plastics are handled by foundations that work on the disposal and conversion of plastic materials, giving them a new life cycle. On one hand, they are sent to some foundations, while other institutions use them to create various types of furniture for parks,” Mejia stated.

Families participating in the programme were required to bring the bottles in weighed bags, with 500 bottles exchanged for a bicycle and 300 bottles for a skateboard, as reported by the AFP. 

Since its inception, the “Plastics for Toys” programme has collected over 14 million plastic bottles, establishing itself as the largest environmental awareness initiative in the Dominican Republic.

Recycling offers a pathway to sustainable resource management, helping to reduce waste and lessen environmental impact. According to IPEN research, each material—plastic, glass, paper, or aluminium—has its challenges and benefits.

Plastics are widely used, but only 9% are effectively recycled. Issues like toxicity and microplastic pollution complicate the recycling process, and most plastics can only be recycled once or twice , limiting their reuse potential.

Concerns about disposal methods, such as plastic incineration, which releases pollutants into the air, also persist. In response, countries like Kenya have implemented laws to reduce plastic bag usage and minimise plastic waste.

Recycling paper uses less energy than creating new paper from trees, making it a more sustainable option compared to plastic. However, if not managed carefully, paper recycling can still lead to water pollution. Paper fibres also degrade in quality with each cycle, limiting their reuse. In Asia, recycled paper is often repurposed for books or school supplies, maximising its value.

Recycling aluminium is highly efficient, saving 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminium. Unlike many other materials, aluminium can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, making it one of the most sustainable resources to reuse.

Glass is another highly recyclable material that retains its quality through each cycle. When recycled locally, glass waste is diverted from landfills, where it would otherwise take thousands of years to decompose. However, some areas' low awareness about recycling practices highlights a need for more community education.

The villagers, from the semi-nomadic Moken community, live on the beach amidst discarded polystyrene and other refuse. Tide co-founder Marc Krebs says "There is more than enough plastic in our world " that should be reused.

“You have to start somewhere… We are quite convinced that we are at the beginning of a new wave," he said. 

Tide's model uses blockchain technology to track plastic from collection to finished products, like carpets made in the Netherlands. Condor Group director Jan Hoekman calls Tide "really unique" for its social impact and transparency.

"We did a lot of research, and Tide is really unique with indeed the social impact, but also their blockchain technology. You can follow the product from collection to the final product, which you see here. That's all transparent, which is very important if you talk about sustainability," Hoekman told the AFP.

Tide is one of several start-up initiatives tackling ocean plastic pollution . As Krebs states, "the more products that are being launched and proved that the quality is just the same, convinces others to switch."

These individuals, mostly men, wipe the city clean of discarded items ranging from used jerry cans and electrical equipment to shoes and shovels.

Their efforts are not just about survival; they are part of a larger ecosystem that turns waste into valuable resources.

Korales collect various types of waste, which they either restore, strip for spare parts or transform into new products.

For example, a kilogramme of collected metal can fetch about 40 birr ($0.30), while jerry cans can bring in between three and 25 birr ($0.025 and $0.21), depending on their size.

After hours of collecting, these recyclers converge on areas like Minalesh Tera in the Merkato market, one of Africa's largest open-air markets, to sell their finds to middlemen.

The korale system is a significant economic driver in Ethiopia. It provides livelihoods for thousands of people, many of whom live below the poverty line. For instance, a korale can earn between 500 and 1,000 birr ($4 to $8.50) a day.

"These are old items brought here by collectors. We purchase them and send them to factories for recycling. Some people also come here to buy old items because new ones are expensive," Tamirat Dejene, a middleman said.

Beyond the economic advantages, the korale system offers substantial environmental benefits. By collecting and recycling waste, korales helps reduce the amount of litter that would otherwise end up in landfills, contributing to pollution.

"It’s not just computers, we take old TVs, for example. They aren’t used anymore, and if left like that, they can cause environmental pollution. But if they are disassembled and sold for parts, it helps prevent pollution," Tesfaye Getahun, another middleman told AFP.

"I had lost all hope, but after joining this centre, I realised I could still do what I wanted," says Babu, who is among many artisans with disabilities turning "trash to cash."

Founded by Madhumita Puri, the Society for Child Development gathers waste from homes, offices, and factories, turning it into eco-friendly products.

"We recycle waste and make it into beautiful things again," says Puri.

One of their projects, called "Avacayam," transforms flowers offered in temples into incense sticks and coloured powders used in festivals.

They also recycle fallen idols of Hindu gods into sacred powder for temple rituals, blending environmental care with cultural reverence. However, Puri notes that social attitudes and finances remain the biggest challenges.

"Changing society's mindset is difficult, but with persistence, it's possible," she adds.

According to Mwanza’s post on social media, the 19-year-old “knows what he is doing and speaks with courage and conviction” he added that to support his discovery, an undisclosed amount was awarded to young Jowetti to “patent his scientific idea with PACRA” a patent and company registration agency located in Lusaka, Zambia. “in the containers is petrol and oil produced by Jowetti. his community have testified that his petrol was tried in 5 motorbikes and it works, no complaint recorded from motorbikers so far,” Mwanza wrote on his official Facebook account.

Jowetti is not the first individual to have come out with such a creation. There have been several individuals from various countries on the continent who have come out with such solutions.

In 2022, South Africa’s state-owned SABC reported the news of Sibusiso Shabangu a South African man who manufactures oil, petrol, and gas from recycled materials.

However, later that year the same publication reported that Shabangu had been instructed by his district municipality in Mpumalanga, a province in eastern South Africa to halt the production of plastic waste-based fuel without a license.

‘’We have advised him before, saying no, saying you should just apply for the license or the permission otherwise we not going to allow you. The environmental office in the province are the ones who have the right to permit you to do so,” a spokesperson of the district is quoted by the SABC .

The response from the public on social media has been varied. While some have praised the creation of Jowetti, Shabangu and others who have come out with similar innovations, others have raised questions about the dangers of the emissions from these creations.