jasdooit

Plastic bottles, food packaging, and metal can lids are not typically used in high-end fashion design.

However, on a Lagos runway, they are being transformed into vibrant and colorful garments as part of a youth-driven “Trashion Show” focused on art, activism, and education.

The gathering is hosted by the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative, an environmental organization established in 2012 that operates conservation and rescue initiatives throughout Nigeria and nearby nations.

Its efforts involve helping injured sea turtles that are caught in fishing nets or plastic waste and releasing them back into the ocean.

Founder Chinedu Mogbo, an educator and environmentalist, states that the theme for this year, “Sea Turtle Awakening: Our Oceans, Our Turtles,” was selected to emphasize the effects of plastic pollution on ocean creatures.

Mogbo states: “We are aware of the challenges plastic poses to ocean and marine life, and we aim to raise consciousness and contribute to addressing these problems.”

Young designers, pupils, and helpers made the clothing from waste gathered on shores and in seaside areas.

Every ensemble, constructed from bottle lids, water packets, straws, and leftover containers, seeks to demonstrate how common trash leads to environmental harm and how it can be reimagined using imagination.

Mogbo states that the goal goes beyond encouraging recycling, aiming also to involve youth in environmental activism.

He states: “The core purpose of our ‘Trashion Show’ is to assist in shaping the next generation, to prepare them for the future, and to ensure they recognize that this struggle is one they must also engage in and contribute to. We are pleased to see students attending in large numbers to support and take part in such events.”

The United Nations Environment Programme reports that Nigeria produces approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste annually.

A significant portion flows into rivers, lagoons, and the Atlantic Ocean, endangering marine environments and coastal communities.

Environmental activists claim that West Africa’s shoreline has turned into a center for plastic waste, where turtles, sea birds, and fish are often discovered caught in or consuming trash.

For young models, the event represents both a creative test and a summons to take part.

Model Okoh Victoria stated: “I am truly amazed to be involved in this incredible event. It has been an absolute privilege, as transforming waste into reusable items that can be worn beautifully is something I am genuinely very happy to be part of.”

Another individual, Eze Chidalu, states: “All the outfits we are creating serve as proof that beauty isn’t just about fashion but can also be eco-friendly. For me, this is deeply significant because I feel a sense of duty being involved in such an incredible initiative.”

The Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative has conducted comparable community engagement programs in schools and coastal areas across Ghana, Benin, and Sierra Leone, encouraging environmental protection and responsible waste disposal.

The organizers state their goal is to transform awareness into action, utilizing fashion to ignite a broader movement against plastic pollution.