STORY: Art exhibition in Namibia highlights environmental protection against plastic pollution
DATELINE: June 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:27
LOCATION: Windhoek
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the exhibition
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LORRAINE GOASES, Head of environmental engineering at the City of Windhoek authority
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAINHOLD HAIKALI, Exhibitor
4. various of the exhibition

STORYLINE:

A manikin adorned by fashionable items, art portraits, bricks, car toys and products recycled from plastic was at the center stage of a visual exhibition embraced by art lovers and residents in Windhoek, Namibia's capital.
   
The exhibition, featuring Solutions to Plastic Pollution, was held to observe World Environment Day, with more than 20 creatives showcasing artworks and innovations made from plastic waste.

The exhibition aims to raise awareness on plastic pollution that is negatively impacting the planet and mainly focuses on finding champions and best solutions to plastic pollution, said Lorraine Goases, the head of environmental engineering at the City of Windhoek authority.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LORRAINE GOASES, Head of environmental engineering at the City of Windhoek authority
"What they had to do was to make art pieces or decorations, and engineering and tech where they can actually take the plastic waste and turn it into something usable. So basically, the whole idea is to promote a circular economy where we don't look at waste anymore as waste, but look at it as a resource to reuse. So that was what today's event was all about and it is in line with the theme for World Environment Day for 2023."
   
Participating artists are also encouraging communities and proposing transformative interventions to curb waste.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAINHOLD HAIKALI, Exhibitor
"Our project is bricks and pavers made out of plastic waste materials. We came up with this project because we wanted to find a solution to plastic waste pollution and we also wanted to get the product out of waste material that will be affordable for the better living of people in informal settlements."
   
In 2018, Namibia banned plastic carrier bags from all protected areas in the country and later introduced a plastic bag levy in August 2019.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Windhoek.
(XHTV)