Empower Youth to combat Plastic Pollution: The PEAR Project
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Help End Plastic Pollution in Bamenda, Cameroon with the PEAR Project
Join me in tackling plastic bottle pollution in Bamenda, Cameroon, by supporting The PEAR Project — a Decentralized Plastic Waste Management System (DPWMS) that empowers young people through education and hands-on recycling. This initiative not only helps clean the environment but also creates income-generating opportunities for youth, helping them fund their education through impactful plastic action.
Who Am I?
My name is Ngalim Franklin (also known as Mr. Green), a second-year Master in Environmental Management (MEM) student at Western Colorado University, and the Founder & Executive Director of The Greens Cameroon - an environmental organization that educates and engages young people to take climate action, promote biodiversity conservation, advance environmental education in schools and communities, and foster sustainable waste management practices.
With over 15 years of experience as a grassroots environmental educator and activist, I’ve been honored with numerous awards, including the 2019 Forest Educator of the Year from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). I’ve presented at major events including the World Forestry Congress in Seoul, the Africa Mountains Community-to-Community Exchange in Rwanda, and most recently, before my graduate study at Western, completed the 2023 Earthship Academy in Taos, New Mexico, USA.
Below are links to videos showcasing some of my work:
1. Mr. Green’s UPB Vertical Garden featured on National News
3. First Locally Produced Plastic Shredder in Bamenda, Cameroon
5. EcoDesigns Free Training for Women and Girls in Textile Recycling and Fashion Design
The PEAR Project
The PEAR Project (Plastic Education and Recycling Project) is an innovative, community-driven solution to plastic pollution in Bamenda. It combines education, innovation, and environmental stewardship by creating school and community recycling hubs, where young people learn about plastic waste and actively engage in recycling efforts.
The project applies a decentralized approach to waste management, making it more effective, inclusive, and adaptable to the realities of developing countries like Cameroon.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), of the 430 million tons of plastics produced annually, only 9% are recycled globally. In cities like Bamenda , waste management systems are severely underdeveloped, with vast amounts of plastic ending up as litter or being burned, polluting both the environment and public health.
What This Fundraiser Supports
This campaign aims to raise funds for Phase One of the PEAR Project, focusing on plastic education, recovery, diversion, and shredding. Your donation will directly support:
✅ Design and Print of the PEAR Toolkit
In collaboration with Future17 of QS Impact, we’ve developed a curriculum that teaches the history, dangers, and sustainable management of plastics. Funds will support the final design and large-scale printing for distribution to schools and communities.
✅ Teacher & Club Coordinator Workshop
We’ll train school and community environmental club leaders on how to effectively use the PEAR Toolkit to educate and engage young learners.
✅ Production of 10 Plastic Shredders
These shredders will be installed in 6 schools and 4 communities, creating decentralized collection and recycling hubs.
✅ Reward and Incentive Program
Participants who clean, sort, and bring plastic waste to the hubs will be rewarded, motivating consistent and meaningful engagement. Their rewards will be used to pay for their school fees and buy them book supplies, thereby contributing to the promotion of access to and quality education for all.
Why It Matters
This project is not just about waste — it's about education, empowerment, and environmental justice. Young people in Bamenda will gain knowledge, skills, and financial support through recycling while helping restore their communities. Your support helps us scale a model that can be replicated in other cities and countries facing similar waste management challenges.
Together, we can turn plastic waste into opportunity.
Donate. Share. Be Part of the Change.
Every contribution brings us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable Bamenda — and a brighter future for the young environmental stewards we empower through The PEAR Project.
Thank you for your support.
Organizer
Franklin Njaiwo Ngalim
Organizer
Gunnison, CO