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 So one day last year he began collecting bits of discarded
plastic and used them to make a backpack. Seeing a way to raise
environmental awareness in fashion-conscious Nigeria, Emmanuel
in November launched a line of bags, wallets and gift boxes made
of 20% leather and around 80% plastic waste, called ECO.
He collects chips of used plastic by hand, such as leftovers
from picture frames, primarily from craft workshops. He then
shapes them to fit his designs, spraypaints them and
incorporates them into basic leather bags that he finds in
second hand markets or gets from specialist leather shops.
"I just keyed myself into creating something out of that waste,"
said the 23-year-old, whose main job is a sculptor.
The bags sell for between 8,000 and 30,000 naira ($22-$83) via
Emmanuel's Instagram account where his creations are seen and
shared by his 10,000 followers.
Plastic waste, in the form of discarded bags, food and drink
packaging, is ubiquitous in Lagos, a city of 20 million people
where dropping litter is commonplace.
The city's waterways lead into the Gulf of Guinea, prompting
concerns about the amount of plastic entering the sea.
Last week the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
(NIMASA) launched a plan to tackle "marine litter and plastic
management". It said Nigeria was ranked the ninth country in the
world for pollution of marine environments.
Lawmakers are also drafting a bill aimed at outlawing the
production of plastics in Nigeria.
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Plastic bags are already banned elsewhere in Africa. Kenya has one
of the toughest laws in the world with the production or sale of
plastic bags punishable by up to four years in prison or fines of
$40,000.
But in Nigeria, where the median age is 18 and the cultural
influence of artists can be seen in the success of the Nollywood
film industry and Afrobeats music scene, Emmanuel saw fashion as a
way to make an impact.
He wants to demonstrate that plastic can be used more than once. He
hopes buyers of his products will walk away with not just an
attractive bag, but also "a sense of purpose that action is being
taken to free the earth of plastic".
Environmental activist Doyinsola Ogunye said Nigeria has several
environmental laws that are simply not being enforced. Raising
awareness via art and fashion is a step in the right direction.
"Conversations have started happening which is actually a good
thing," she said.
Emmanuel, who makes all his bags himself, hopes his products start
conversations - and he is proud that they sell for a profit.
"I'm still making money from waste, it's a big joy for me," he said.
(Reporting by Nneka Chile; Additional reporting by Libby George;
Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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