Beninese activist Anas Seko, known on social media as “the garbage collector”, is on a mission to raise awareness about plastic waste and environmental protection in his home country in West Africa.
Anas Seko, who calls himself “the garbage collector”, reacts during the awareness campaign about the environmental impact of plastic waste in Cotonou, Benin, October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Placide Tossou Charles
Through clean-up campaigns, one-man performances and comical videos on social media, the 25-year-old encourages youths to pick up the plastic bags that litter streets and beaches in his city, Abomey-Calavi, near Benin’s commercial capital Cotonou.
Anas Seko, who calls himself “the garbage collector”, and his friends celebrate after they finished collecting garbage during the awareness campaign about the environmental impact of plastic waste in Cotonou, Benin, October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Placide Tossou Charles
“In the African perception… it’s a bit frowned upon to see someone picking up litter. It seems a bit shameful,” said Seko, who has thousands of followers on Facebook and Twitter.
Anas Seko, who calls himself “the garbage collector”, and his friends collect garbage during the awareness campaign about the environmental impact of plastic waste in Cotonou, Benin October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Placide Tossou Charles
“So by calling myself “The Garbage Collector,” first of all, it’s to say that I’m not ashamed to pick up trash.”
Anas Seko, who calls himself “the garbage collector”, and his friends prepare to collect garbage on the streets during the awareness campaign about the environmental impact of plastic waste in Cotonou, Benin, October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Placide Tossou CharlesA teammate of Anas Seko, who calls himself “the garbage collector”, holds a sign during the awareness campaign about the environmental impact of plastic waste in Cotonou, Benin, October 29, 2022. The sign reads “Broken heart is not good, but global warming is worse”. REUTERS/Placide Tossou Charles
