Mandatory Clean Up Days

The United Nations estimates that only 10% of the trash in Africa actually makes it to a dump. The rest is left to rot in the streets or is burned in toxic bonfires. In Lagos, Nigeria – the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa – authorities hold a mandatory monthly clean up day.

By law, the last Saturday of every month is Sanitation Day. The entire city comes to a halt as people spend hours sweeping the streets and cleaning up trash. Special police have been trained to enforce sanitation day and anyone who doesn’t comply can face stiff penalties. World Vision Report’s Sarah Simpson visited Lagos and brings us the story.

You can listen to this piece at the Public Radio Exchange.

(Photo by jenjie via Flickr/Creative Commons)