Trashformed: How Ghanaian youth turned over 3.6 tons of waste into climate action

In the coastal community of La in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region, a group of young changemakers has transformed waste into an opportunity for education, empowerment, and environmental action.

The Trashformed Initiative, led by the Global Shapers Accra Hub under The Climate Reality Incubator, and partnered by Groundwork Africa Foundation and the World Movers Team, has upcycled and reused over 3.6 tons of plastic waste while engaging 391 schoolchildren from the South La Estate Primary School in a hands-on climate education.

Spearheaded by Diane Akuffo, with a dedicated team comprising Charlene Asiedu, Emele Arthur - Hayford, Robert Dzudzor, Kwesi Gyan, and Immaculata King, the initiative took a grassroots, community-led approach to combat Ghana’s plastic pollution crisis.

Over five months, the team implemented a weekly plastic waste collection system in a local school, recovering 175 kg of plastic each week, totaling approximately 3,500 kg of plastic waste all diverted from potential landfills and waterways.

One of the project’s key highlights was a beach cleanup at Tawala Beach with 140 Class 6 students, during which 298 kg of waste was collected, including 112 kg of plastic and 12 kg of glass.

The exercise also revealed widespread non-collectable Styrofoam, highlighting persistent waste challenges that require long-term solutions. The initiative went beyond the cleanup. Working with local artisans, the team upcycled over 50 kg of used polyvinyl chloride banners i.e PVC-based banners into 140 durable school bags for the 140 schoolchildren that received a specialized training.

In total, the project engaged 391 students, with focus on climate education and specialized training for 140 Class 6 students. Post-training assessments showed an average climate knowledge score of 78%, reflecting the impact of immersive, child-centered learning.

Trashformed is more than just an environmental intervention, it’s a working model of how youth-led innovation can inspire communities, build circular systems, and empower the next generation of climate leaders.

As Diane Akuffo reflects, “ Trashformed Initiative isn't just a project, it is a movement that shows that young people, given the right tools, can lead meaningful change in their communities.”