Cameroon National Beach Clean-up Day & The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign
- James Clark
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 18
The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign reached new heights as it passed through Cameroon, thanks to the brilliant in-country partner, the Cameroonian Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA). These committed environmentalists and campaigners against plastic pollution have been running Cameroon Beach Clean-up Day since 2022, even securing official recognition from the government to mark it as a national day.
The Royal Commonwealth Society worked with ASCOA to incorporate the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign into this year’s event, and used the momentum, expertise, and network of volunteers built by ASCOA to deliver one of the biggest clean-ups of the campaign so far.
On 25 January 2025, 600 participants took to the coastlines of Limbe, Douala, and Kribi to remove as much plastic as possible. The event prevented 31,706 plastic items from entering Commonwealth waterways, while strengthening community ties and encouraging future activism.
The day also featured an eco-parade, including a fashion competition with dresses made from recycled plastic, a spoken word showcase where artistic expression elevated calls for action, and musical and dance performances demonstrating that environmental activism should be fun. A virtual reality exhibition transported attendees under the sea, highlighting the natural beauty of the marine ecosystems they were protecting. In the lead-up to the event, coordinator workshops were held to build capacity using a train-the-trainers model.
Detailed reporting by the ASCOA team revealed that over 90% of the items collected were linked to the food, drinks, and catering industry. The long-term environmental damage caused by single-use plastics from restaurants, supermarkets, and street food stalls is well known. In recent years, some have argued that small behavioural changes, such as bringing reusable cups or refusing single-use items, are insignificant in the face of climate change. The prevalence of such items in Cameroon tells us otherwise.
Since its inception in 2022, Cameroon Beach Clean-up Day has covered 412km of coastline and removed over 1,200 tonnes of waste. ASCOA’s CEO, Linus Ayangwoh, is a long-term thinker. He regularly speaks of the importance of SDG 14: Life Below Water and aims to achieve rubbish-free beaches in Cameroon by 2030.
The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign is travelling with the King's Baton Relay ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2026. Cameroon’s official week of action also included a clean-up led by ASCOA on 25 July. This focused on one of Douala’s most polluted stretches of the Wouri River, where plastic waste and debris had accumulated, threatening both the local ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Thanks to ASCOA’s expert coordination, 250 volunteers were deployed effectively, managing the separation and safe disposal of 3,700 items of plastic and other waste materials.
The event was attended by Commonwealth Sport Officials and the Minister for the Environment, who spoke to the media about the importance of collaborating within and beyond our communities, to address the massive challenge of plastic pollution. Partner organisations helped ASCOA’s efforts, including for Earth’s Sake, whose founder Lizette Ngangue Bewekedi said: “Our heartfelt thanks to ASCOA for bringing us on board. This initiative by the Royal Commonwealth Society underscores the power of partnerships in advancing global goals. We are proud to have represented Cameroon in such a meaningful effort.”
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign will prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign will combine education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership will bring together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities, including a plastic clean-up.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.