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The 2025 Cameroon Beach Clean-Up, a unique fusion of environmental action, fashion, and entertainment, took place at Down Beach, Limbe, on January 25,2025. The initiative, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14—”Life Below Water,” aimed at conserving marine resources and reducing ocean pollution, was organised by the Cameroon Youth Assembly (CYA) and the Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA), with Delikate Clothing as a key partner.
Cameroon, located in Central Africa, boasts a breathtaking coastline of approximately 647.9 kilometres (402 miles) with over 17 beaches. These beaches provide both recreational and economic opportunities, supporting jobs in tourism, local businesses, and infrastructural developments. However, rapid human activities contribute to water pollution, ocean acidification, and environmental degradation, threatening the sustainability of these natural resources.
Delikate Clothing: A Pioneer in Sustainable Fashion
Founded in 2017 by Nicnoela Nguatem Fonge in Buea, Southwest Cameroon, Delikate Clothing is a sustainable fashion brand dedicated to promoting Cameroonian culture while raising awareness about environmental conservation through upcycled materials. The brand originated when Fonge created a standout costume for her brother’s pageant, which led to further commissions and ultimately birthed a business focused on transforming waste into wearable art.
Innovative Collaboration for Environmental Change
For the first time, the Cameroon Beach Clean-Up 2025 integrated sustainable art into its program. Organisers recognised the need to not only clean beaches but also find creative ways to recycle marine debris. Delikate Clothing’s mission aligned perfectly with this vision, leading to the debut of six unique outfits made from discarded materials found along the beach.
Transforming Waste into Fashion Statements
The clean-up event attracted around 300 volunteers, who collected and sorted trash into categories such as plastics, textiles, and plant waste before transferring them to appropriate waste disposal centres. Following the clean-up, attendees witnessed an inspiring fashion showcase featuring six outfits created by Delikate Clothing:
- The Family Ties Nylon Dress: Made from luggage plastic wraps, seashells, and dried plantain stems, highlighting the unintended environmental impact of packaging materials from international shipments.
- The Partnership Plastic Bottle Dress: Crafted from empty mineral water bottles and plantain leaf stems, emphasizing the overuse of plastic and its effects on marine life.
- The Pest Control Dress: Constructed from old mosquito nets, a thrifted bedsheet, and a traditional Sawa raffia cap, shedding light on the disposal of fishing and household nets that harm aquatic ecosystems.
- The Sacs and Moto Dress: Designed using old shopping bags, raffia, seashells, and dried plantain stems, showcasing an alternative use for commonly discarded plastic market bags.
- The Research Paper Dress: A creation from old dissertation papers, painted in the colours of the Cameroonian flag, advocating for reduced paper waste and increased digital submissions in academia.
- The Fusion Dress: Made from seashells and dried plantain leaves, symbolising the relationship between land and water and the importance of ecological balance.
A Collective Effort for Sustainability
The Cameroon Beach Clean-Up 2025 was supported by multiple partners, including the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservancy, Mercy Help, One Green Africa, Royal Commonwealth Society, Miss Noble Woman, and several other organisations. The event concluded with a captivating musical performance by Cameroonian artist Salatiel, known for his collaboration on Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album.
With another edition of the clean-up event scheduled for September, organisers and partners aim to expand their impact, promoting sustainable waste management through fashion, art, and community engagement.
