By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S
In a collective effort to combat plastic pollution and environmental degradation, Orange Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), successfully concluded the 2025 Orange Green Run Marathon on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Held under the theme “Engage for Earth: Say No to Plastic,” the event gathered hundreds of participants who ran or walked from Cotton Tree to Kallon Car Park on Aberdeen Beach. The marathon aimed to raise awareness about the growing threat of single-use plastics and promote sustainable waste management practices throughout the country.
Following the race, Dr. Abubakarr Massaquoi, Executive Chairman of the EPA, expressed gratitude to Orange Sierra Leone for its commitment to environmental sustainability. “We want to make this an annual event,” he stated, adding plans to transform the Green Run into an eco-festival.
Dr. Massaquoi highlighted the severity of the plastic crisis, noting that Freetown alone produces 130,000 tons of waste annually, with 85 percent improperly managed. He warned that plastics are clogging drainage systems and exacerbating flooding during the rainy season, while also posing serious health risks. “The consistent burning of plastics has led to elevated levels of dioxins in the environment,” he said, linking this pollution to developmental issues in children.
Edwin Baimba, a Director at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, shared that the government is actively addressing the plastic crisis through a national policy approved by Cabinet in 2023. “This policy focuses primarily on single-use plastics,” he noted, emphasizing the vision to phase out plastic waste while promoting recycling to foster economic growth.
Khalil Bansoon, Supply Chain Manager at Premier Environmental Solutions, announced the company’s construction of a facility capable of recycling 20 tons of plastic waste daily. “For us, plastic waste is not a burden but a resource,” he stated, underscoring their commitment to building a circular economy and creating jobs.
Despite the challenges posed by limited local government support and delays in legislation, Bansoon affirmed their determination to turn policy into action.
Alpha Bundu, Director of Customer Experience at Orange Sierra Leone, echoed the call for community involvement. “Completing this run symbolizes our shared commitment to healthier communities and a cleaner environment,” he said. Orange collected 6.1 tons of waste from beaches last year and is preparing to launch a circular economy program for recycling electrical and plastic waste.
Marathon winner Gibrilla Kanu urged his peers to join the fight against plastic pollution. “I’m happy to have won this race, but more importantly, I’m calling on young people to help conserve our environment.”
The Green Run concluded with a certification ceremony for the top three winners: Gibrilla Kanu in first place, Samuel Mansaray in second, and Amadu Sajor Samura in third.
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