Seventeen-Year-Old Amara Nwuneli: Turning Trash into Treasure

In the busy city of Lagos, Nigeria, where green spaces are limited and pollution is a growing concern, one young teenager is making a big difference. Seventeen-year-old Amara Nwuneli has found a creative way to tackle both waste and the need for safe spaces to play. By turning discarded tires into a fun, sustainable playground, Amara not only won the Earth Prize but is also showing how recycling can help build a better future.

A Tragic Beginning That Sparked Change

Amara’s journey into environmental activism began with a personal tragedy. In 2020, devastating floods swept through her neighborhood, displacing her family and destroying her parents' spice business. The damage left Amara feeling helpless, but instead of giving up, she saw an opportunity to make things better.

She began by documenting the floods and raising awareness about their effects. But Amara didn’t stop there. She founded Preserve Our Roots, an NGO dedicated to educating young people about climate change and promoting sustainable practices in her community. This was the start of her mission to protect the environment and create positive change.

Turning Trash into Playgrounds

In 2023, Amara and her team found an unused plot of land in Ikota, Lagos, filled with trash—mostly old tires. Instead of seeing it as a waste, Amara had an idea: what if they could turn this land into something useful, like a playground for children?

Using the discarded tires and other recycled materials, Amara and her team created playground equipment that could withstand the city’s rainy season. They also planted trees and built greenhouses, promoting environmental education while providing a safe space for kids to play. The project not only cleaned up the area but also helped the community see the value in repurposing waste.

Her initiative was so successful that Amara won the prestigious Earth Prize in 2025, along with a $12,500 award to help fund her future projects. For her, the prize wasn’t just about the money—it was recognition of her belief that waste can be turned into something positive.

Expanding the Vision

With the Earth Prize funding, Amara has big plans. She wants to build three more playgrounds in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states. These parks won’t just be places to play—they will serve as hubs for teaching people about sustainability, recycling, and waste management. By using recycled materials, each park will also show how we can reduce waste while creating useful, fun spaces for everyone.

Amara’s long-term goal is to create a "Central Park" in Lagos, a large green space in the heart of the city that will provide a place for the community to come together, learn about the environment, and enjoy nature. In a city where less than 3% of the land is green, her vision for this park could make a huge impact.

A New Way of Thinking

What sets Amara’s project apart is the message it sends about waste. In many places, trash is seen as something to be thrown away. But Amara is changing that mindset. She shows how waste can be a valuable resource if we put our creativity to work. By repurposing tires into playground equipment, Amara is giving trash a new purpose while teaching others how to do the same.

Her efforts have inspired young people all over Nigeria and beyond to think differently about the environment. Through her NGO, Preserve Our Roots, Amara is working with schools, communities, and local leaders to spread the message of sustainability and encourage more people to take action.

A Greener Future Starts Now

Amara’s story is a powerful reminder that anyone, no matter how young, can make a difference. Her ability to take something as simple as an old tire and turn it into a valuable, community-building resource shows that small changes can lead to big results. Through her work, Amara is teaching us all that the future of our planet lies in our hands—and that it’s never too early to start making a change.

So, what can we learn from Amara’s story? It’s clear: when we look at waste, we don’t have to see garbage—we can see opportunity. What can you do today to help make your community greener? Whether it’s recycling, planting a tree, or supporting local eco-projects, every small action counts in building a more sustainable future. The possibilities are endless if we just take the first step.