Motorists, pedestrians and commuters using University Way in Nairobi have been stopping to take a second look at an unusual billboard that has quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about installations.
Unlike conventional advertising boards covered with printed vinyl, this one is crammed with nearly two tonnes of real plastic waste collected from Nairobi’s streets. From used plastic bottles and food wrappers to discarded containers, the billboard presents an unfiltered picture of the city’s growing plastic pollution problem.
Installed near the Nairobi Hebrew Congregation Synagogue along University Way, the eye-catching display was unveiled around World Environment Day 2026 as part of a public awareness campaign designed to encourage Kenyans to rethink their relationship with plastic waste.
Why was the billboard filled with plastic waste?
The billboard was intentionally filled with real waste to confront the public with the scale of plastic pollution that often goes unnoticed.
Instead of relying on graphics or statistics, the campaign allows people to physically see the amount of plastic discarded every day. By placing the waste in one of Nairobi’s busiest streets, the installation transforms rubbish into a powerful visual statement that is difficult to ignore.
At the centre of the billboard is the bold Sheng word “Rada?”—a popular expression loosely translated as “What’s the plan?” or “What’s going on?”
In this context, the question challenges every passer-by to reflect on their personal role in plastic consumption and disposal while prompting conversations about how cities can better manage waste.
A campaign built around World Environment Day
The installation was launched through a collaboration involving the Nairobi City County Government, the Kenya Plastics Pact (KEPRO) and other environmental partners committed to reducing plastic pollution.
World Environment Day, marked annually on June 5, has increasingly focused global attention on plastic waste and sustainable consumption. This year’s campaign sought to move beyond online awareness by creating a physical installation capable of attracting thousands of daily viewers in Nairobi’s central business district.
By choosing University Way, organisers ensured the campaign would reach office workers, students, business owners and visitors who use the busy corridor every day.
More than an art installation
Although the billboard resembles public art, organisers describe it primarily as an environmental awareness campaign.
Every bottle, wrapper and plastic container inside the structure was collected from Nairobi, highlighting the sheer volume of waste generated in the city.
The installation serves as a reminder that much of the plastic people throw away does not disappear after it leaves their hands. Instead, it often ends up clogging drainage systems, littering roadsides, polluting rivers or finding its way into landfills.
Environmental advocates hope the display encourages residents to sort their waste, reduce their use of single-use plastics and embrace recycling where possible.
Why the billboard is attracting attention
The campaign has gone viral across social media, with videos and photos of the installation circulating widely.
Many Nairobi residents initially mistook the billboard for illegal dumping before realising the waste had been deliberately arranged as part of an awareness campaign.
Others praised the concept, saying it communicates the reality of plastic pollution more effectively than traditional posters or television advertisements.
The installation has also sparked conversations about consumer responsibility, waste collection systems and the importance of strengthening recycling infrastructure.
