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Transforming Marine Wastes into Art: A Case Study of Participatory Environmental Advocacy and Blue Economy Promotion Along Lagos Coastlines
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A Nigerian college project turned nearly 487 kg of ocean trash collected from Lagos beaches into art, using creative projects to teach coastal communities about marine pollution and the "Blue Economy" (using ocean resources sustainably). This matters because plastic waste that isn't cleaned up often breaks down into microplastics that can end up in seafood and drinking water, and the study found most community members knew very little about these issues—but were highly supportive of art-based efforts to raise awareness and spark cleanup action.
Marine pollution along Nigeria's coastline is arguably one of the most critical environmental challenges in West Africa, threatening biodiversity, coastal livelihoods and the development of the nation's Blue Economy. Nigerian artists and art institutions have been largely absent from environmental advocacy work, despite the country's 853 kilometres of Atlantic seaboard and its rich tradition of visual culture. This case study chronicles the first phase of a TETFund-sponsored ongoing project titled "Transforming Marine Wastes into Art" implemented by Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, using participatory art practice, community engagement and upcycled marine debris as integrated tools for environmental advocacy and promotion of the Blue Economy. This case study documents the rationale of the project, design, early experience of implementation and community outcomes, based on field activities carried out in three coastal sites (Wave Beach (Elegushi), Gberufun Island (Badagry) and Ilaje Waterfront (Bariga)) between February and April 2026, and baseline survey data collected from 500 respondents. Results gathered demonstrate tangible progress in community engagement, stakeholder partnerships, and waste plastic collection, with nearly 487 kg of marine debris collected across three locations. The survey results also indicate a significant gap in awareness among members of the coastal community regarding the Blue Economy: only 10% of respondents rated themselves as very familiar with the concept. They also reaffirm strong community support for art-based advocacy approaches (76% agreement) and high latent pro-environmental behavioural intentions. The case study provides the need for transferable lessons for art educators, environmental practitioners, community development workers and policymakers seeking replicable models for integrating creative practice into marine conservation and sustainable development initiatives in Nigerian and African coastal contexts.
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Transforming Marine Wastes into Art: A Case Study of Participatory Environmental Advocacy and Blue Economy Promotion Along Lagos Coastlines
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A Lagos art school turned nearly 487 kg of plastic and trash collected from three Nigerian beaches into art, using creative projects to teach coastal communities about ocean pollution and the "Blue Economy" (using ocean resources sustainably). The project found that most people didn't know much about protecting ocean resources, but strongly supported using art to raise awareness—suggesting this could be a low-cost way to reduce plastic pollution that eventually breaks down into microplastics, which can enter our food and water supply and affect human health.
Plastic Debris (Marine Litters) From Atalantic Ocean Through Lagos Channel, Constituting Pollutions Around Islands Settlements: Government and Private Participations in Turning Waste to Wealth
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Plastic waste pouring into the ocean near Lagos, Nigeria is polluting coastal communities, but this study finds that turning trash into cash, through recycling programs backed by government policy and private businesses, can meaningfully cut down on ocean litter. This matters because plastic debris that breaks down in the ocean can turn into microplastics, which enter seafood and drinking water and may pose risks to human health, so smarter waste management isn't just good for the environment, it protects the food and water people rely on.
Plastic Debris (Marine Litters) From Atalantic Ocean Through Lagos Channel, Constituting Pollutions Around Islands Settlements: Government and Private Participations in Turning Waste to Wealth
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Plastic trash washing into the Atlantic Ocean near Lagos, Nigeria is piling up around island communities, and researchers found that turning this waste into a business opportunity, through recycling programs, government policy, and private company involvement, actually works to cut down ocean litter. This matters because plastic pollution in our oceans breaks down into microplastics that can end up in seafood and drinking water, so smarter waste management isn't just good for the environment, it's a practical step toward protecting what ends up on our plates.
Community-based interventions to mitigate marine plastic pollution along the Lagos–Badagry coastal Corridor, Nigeria
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A Nigerian coastal community program that taught people about plastic recycling and showed them how to turn plastic waste into paving materials led to big jumps in recycling knowledge (from 51% to 98%) and willingness to sort and recycle trash (from 48% to 98%), especially when people got paid for their efforts. This matters because less plastic trash on beaches means less plastic breaking down into microplastics that can end up in seafood and drinking water, so simple community programs like this one could help protect both ocean health and the people who depend on it.
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This systematic review examines how plastic pollution threatens Nigeria's ocean-based economy, including its fishing and tourism industries. The research found that plastic waste also harms human health through water contamination, and that weak laws and poor waste management are making the problem worse.
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