The Lens
Malawi’s Youth Taking on Plastic Waste
By Krusha Khakhar, QS ImpACT
"Youth-led initiatives focused on education, awareness and clean-ups can play a key role in tackling Malawi’s plastic waste crisis."
Bornwell Movella, winner of the QS ImpACT Plastic Clean-Up Hero Award, played a key role in a youth-led initiative to reduce plastic waste in his community in Malawi. As part of the Plastic Waste Awareness and Clean-Up Initiative, he worked alongside students and staff from Mulunguzi Secondary School in Blantyre to promote responsible waste disposal and environmental stewardship.
The Plastic Pollution Challenge in Blantyre
Blantyre, like many major cities in Malawi, struggles with severe plastic pollution. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that Malawi produces around 75,000 tonnes of plastic annually, with 80% being non-recyclable single-use plastics. Waste generation in Malawi’s cities is projected to triple by 2050 (Renew Our World), if effective measures are not taken, worsening pollution and public health challenges.
Raising Awareness Through Action
With plastic waste piling up and its consequences growing, youth-led initiatives focused on awareness, education, and clean-ups are crucial in tackling Malawi’s plastic pollution crisis. Bornwell’s initiative focused on:
● Educating 1,000+ students about plastic pollution and sustainable waste management
● Leading a school-wide clean-up, collecting 50 kg of plastic waste
● Encouraging students to adopt sustainable habits and share knowledge with their communities
The impact of this initiative was clear, students gained a better understanding of plastic pollution, and nearly 80% pledged to reduce their plastic use. Through this activity, students were encouraged to take the message beyond the classroom, hopefully inspiring their communities to adopt better waste practices.
However, long-term change requires continued efforts, from integrating sustainability education into school curriculums to establishing regular clean-up activities.
A Growing Movement
The success of this initiative highlights the power of youth-led action in tackling local environmental challenges. In a country where plastic pollution threatens public health and livelihoods, efforts like Bornwell’s are essential. Youth-led initiatives focused on education, awareness, and clean-ups can play a key role in tackling Malawi’s plastic waste crisis, helping communities rethink waste disposal and take action.
If this story inspires you and you’d like to support young changemakers like Bornwell in expanding their impact, reach out to QS ImpACT at [email protected]
QS ImpACT is a UNEP-accredited global charity registered in the UK and Wales and the global SDG incubator for a better world. Our global community of youth grows and earns recognition for their positive impact on society. We equip young leaders with the skills to drive impactful actions through strategic collaborations with universities, organisations, and communities. In 2024, we impacted over 162,000 people across 101 countries, with over 7,000 community members and 50 Youth Ambassadors.
The culmination of the 2024 calendar year at QS ImpACT was marked by the prestigious QS ImpACT Awards, serving as our organisation's flagship event. The overarching theme and mission of the awards centered on celebrating youth-led impact through sustainable initiatives and innovations.
It featured influential speeches and engaging discussions, showcasing the participation of distinguished leaders from the United Nations, top university leaders, and sustainability experts. The final eight winners of the QS ImpACT Awards 2024 came from six different countries, driving change across diverse areas—from climate education and sustainable innovation to biodiversity protection, plastic pollution solutions, and waste management advocacy. Their collective impact highlights the power of young changemakers in tackling some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.