Cleaning streets and changing hearts in South Sudan

*First African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work as a political and environmental activist.

The rubbish problem in South Sudan

With no official bodies to manage medical waste or recycling, most rubbish is openly dumped, creating major risks to health and the environment.

‘We’re a single-use country,’ explains Alice. ‘Five to six million water bottles are created every day, and they’re not going anywhere. We’re at the source of the river, and the waste goes straight there. There’s no recycling facility.’

Because South Sudan is facing extreme poverty and multiple crises, environmental issues are often overlooked by the government and its people.

‘Somebody will be drinking water in their car and just throw the empty bottle out the window,’ Alice explains. ‘Or they’ll be walking along and throwing their rubbish on the ground. So there’s a lot of awareness that needs to happen.’

Tearfund shares in Alice’s belief that in South Sudan, and around the world, we must address environmental issues alongside other challenges, to avoid them becoming an even greater problem down the line.

‘We see the impact very slowly,’ says Alice. But the signs of progress along the way encourage EcoClean and its employees to keep going.

‘When I look at Juba, I feel like the streets are cleaner. Women know how to clean!’ she laughs. ‘But I would really advocate for more women to run waste management companies.’

From throw-away culture to long-lasting change

EcoClean is committed to creating lasting environmental and social change in South Sudan in a number of ways:

• Recycling – Setting up the country’s first plastic recycling plant and medical waste treatment and disposal sites.
• Innovation – Kickstarting a farming project that involves rearing flies to convert organic waste into low-cost, sustainable animal feed.
• Sustainability – Manufacturing eco-friendly products such as plastic lumber, boats, and construction materials.
• Business – Starting a plastic Buy Centre, run by women and youth, to collect plastic for recycling and selling.
• Giving back to the community – Paying school fees for around 300 local students each year and regularly distributing food to community members in need.
• Empowering women – Creating more jobs and income for women, by hiring 65 per cent women for future plastic-sorting projects.

Alice adds, ‘right now, we’re also working with Tearfund to support informal waste pickers and help them earn a living. Usually what they earn is very small, and the conditions are horrific. But because we are a business, we can pay them a fair wage and show them dignity and respect for the work they’re doing.’

How can I make a difference in the UK?

Alice’s story is inspiring. But if you’re passionate about seeing change in your local area, where do you start? Well, we asked Alice how she would encourage us:

Alice’s top tips for change-makers:

• Passion – ‘Let your passion drive you, and don’t doubt yourself.’
• Patience – ‘Changing mindsets and addressing long-term needs takes time. Have patience and try to celebrate the small wins.’
• Start small – ‘See who is already working at the grassroots level. Ask how you can partner with them and support them.’
• Find like-minded people – ‘Join in with what they’re already doing.’

Finally, Alice adds, ‘the need is great, so there's room for all of us to help. That’s why we don’t work alone. It’s only by the grace of God that we were able to get here.’

You can read more about the plastics crisis and how you can play your part here.