Visual Arts for Waste Management and Climate Change Awareness in Mombasa

Mombasa City, Kenya  is experiencing issues of solid waste management and the effects of climate change. Urbanization, population growth, and increased consumption have led to a tremendous rise in the generation of waste, most of which is improperly disposed of. Waste burning and dumping in open areas are common practices. The lack of public awareness and community involvement in sustainable waste disposal solutions renders such issues difficult to address. Illegal dumping grounds, filled-up garbage in residential areas, and contaminated water bodies are some of the evident signs of the current crisis.

Identifying the need for change, Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) implemented an EPIC project dubbed “embedding visual art in awareness creation and design of waste management solutions and climate change”. It aimed at ending waste management and climate change impacts using visual art as a platform for awareness generation and community involvement. The program  consolidated academia, local authorities, and communities in  the development of sustainable waste management solutions together.

Visual arts, such as sculptures, movies, graphics, and photography were made to convey environmental issues in an easy-to-understand and interactive way. This method transcended language barriers and engaged different stakeholders, including students, residents, and policymakers. Environmental awareness was also integrated into school curricula, equipping students with sustainability knowledge and skills.

Citizens and students collaborated to create works of art, depicting waste management issues and solutions. For example, Pointing Fingers, a student-made film, demonstrated the environmental and health impacts of illegal dumping, emphasizing shared responsibility. Through art, participants shared their firsthand experiences dealing with the waste crisis. One community member drew a picture of a goat and explained, “Due to the mixing of waste with chemicals in waste spaces, goats are exposed to these harmful substances and get affected. Some humans won’t throw such a goat away when it gets infected or sick. Instead, they will eat the goat and also get affected…” These works of art illustrate the consequences of poor waste management, and make the issue easier to understand through personal storytelling.

Through waste audits, community workshops, and art exhibitions, the project highlighted gaps in Mombasa’s waste management system. A detailed waste audit in Likoni sub-county revealed that kitchen waste constituted over 62% of total waste, while plastics, paper, and textiles each contributed around 6%. The audit also found that high-income households generated significantly more waste per capita than lower-income households.

A symposium was held where members of the public, academia, and local government gathered to exchange their findings from the waste audit and artworks. It included presentations, panel discussions, and screenings of Pointing Fingers. This symposium emphasized the potency of collaborations in improving waste management and mitigating climate change.

Case studies documenting the accomplishments of projects were integrated into the curriculum of TUM as training materials for environmental science and sustainable development education. The students also carried out practice-based learning, creating awareness material during course work.

The initiative successfully increased public awareness of waste-related challenges and inspired action toward sustainable waste disposal. Participants in the visual arts workshops reported a deeper understanding of the link between waste management, health and climate change. Many expressed a commitment to adopting better waste disposal practices, and several community members proposed local waste recycling initiatives.

Most notably, the project’s policy recommendations have been shared with Mombasa’s county government, paving the way for potential regulatory changes. The findings emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of waste disposal laws, greater investment in waste collection services, and an increase in public awareness campaigns.

With the success of this initiative being clear, the alliance will seek to expand awareness programs, integrate waste management education in school curricula, and study recycling and circular economy technologies. Strengthened collaboration with municipal government and civil society organizations will ensure long-term sustainability.

By way of visual arts and community participation, the project aims to make Mombasa cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable. The approach can be replicated in other cities with such ecological challenges, demonstrating the power of innovation, collaboration, and community-based initiatives.