"Say no to plastic waste" is not just a slogan, it has become a commitment with actions taken in community in general and schools in particular...
“Say no to plastic waste” is not just a slogan; it has become a commitment with actions taken in community in general and schools in particular. Many schools have shown creativity in the effort to expand the green and plastic-free life.
In order to inspire green and plastic-free life, several activities against plastic waste have been organized at Nguyen Van Troi High School, Nha Trang City though extracurricular activities, school visual propaganda, mass media, exhibitions of items made from used plastics, etc. Students have made tree rings from nearly 2,000 plastic bags; created flower vases and planted more trees to build a green wall to enhance the school appearance.
To reduce plastic use, a group of students at Hermann Gmeiner Nha Trang has designed bags made from canvas fabric to replace plastic cups and bags commonly used at coffee shops. Nguyen Hoang Nhan, the group leader, has designed 200 bags made from canvas fabric for use at 4 coffee shops.
|
To encourage the use of environmentally-friendly bags, the group has provided the products free or at discounted price. The shops have also reduced the cost of drinks the next time for customers using such eco-friendly bags. Besides, classes have clean-up and trash classification activities every week. Earlier, thanks to students’ parents and other sponsors’ funding, the school has innovated 2 school parks made from plastic waste, old tires and other used materials, adding to the school decoration.
After a survey among 1,100 students, Mai Trung Kien, a student of To Van On High School, Van Ninh District has realized that most students still keep the habit of plastic use in daily life. To change plastic use awareness and behavior, the group has propagandized plastic-free life via the School Youth Union’s facebook, leaflets, banners, school broadcasts, flag meetings and extracurricular activities.
The students have also put classified trash cans inside the school yard and decorated the school with used materials and organized a program giving study items in exchange for plastic waste.
The 2019 - 2020 “recycling day” contest has received 68 products made by students from plastic waste and used materials. Plastic bags and bottles have been turned into striking dustbins, flower vases, pergolas, wind chimes, tree rings, etc. The school has also offered 2 dustbins recycled from plastic bottles to Van Khanh Primary School and Van Khanh Commune People’s Committee; and founded a volunteers’ club for plastic waste treatment, according to Le Van Thang, Secretary of the school Youth Union.
Through propaganda, students have been better aware of plastic waste pollution. However, it takes time to change the habit of plastic use as plastic bags are cheap and convenient. The school will frequently organize various forms of propaganda towards the change in plastic use awareness and behavior, according to Tran Van Minh, Principal of To Van On High School.
H.Ngan
Translated by N.T
