More awareness must be carried out to communities to address the major issue of waste pollution in the National Capital District.
Sustainable Coastlines PNG (SCPNG) founder Ryley Webster says education on the effects of waste pollution is important so that people will be aware of the dangers of pollution.
SCPNG is an award winning PNG non-profit organisation, supported by the global Sustainable Coastlines brand that creates solutions for environmental challenges through projects.
Webster highlighted that effective awareness activities include practical education for students, using art as a vehicle for social and environmental change and awareness through sports.
He said an awareness drive will educate and empower Port Moresby residents to improve their waste disposal behaviour and take part in positive action to address the issue.
“It’s really important that we’re all talking about the impacts of pollution and combining our efforts as this will have a positive impact on the behaviour on city residents.
“Waste pollution contributes to diseases including malaria, dengue fever and even zika virus so the less rubbish we have the less sick people we have in our community.”
Webster said awareness must be also done on how we choose to dispose rubbish.
“When you burn plastic rubbish outside, it contains dioxins which have cancer causing chemicals within plastics which are very harmful for our health.
“Recent studies have shown that one breath of smoke from a burning fire with plastic is just as bad for your health as 300 puffs of cigarette and not many people understand this.
“It’s important to get some of these messages out into our communities.”
Webster added that establishing the love and pride for where we live is important to changing our mindsets.
Picture by Kennedy Bani