SAY NO TO PLASTIC

  Innovative ideas for Zero Plastic Waste School events 

George Bernard Shaw had once said “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” 

Whatever development we make, the Earth’s nature should not be affected. Plastics, a day-to-day resource that each person is using, has adversely affected the Earth’s nature. Almost all plastics are made from the chemicals that come from the production of planet warming fuels. 

Plastic bags serve as the primary reason for blockage in drainage system. After their disposal, when burnt they produce toxic fumes which leads to almost all types of pollution. We are certainly in need of some innovative ideas and ways that each individual must adopt to put an end to this. 

Working on an issue is better than just spreading awareness and, working with sheer determination and achieving the target is undeniably way better than just working on it. So, let us turn towards the path of achieving our goal. 

Firstly, kids should be trained from beginning itself to use naturally made items. The plastic articles used in various parts of schools should strictly be replaced by articles made with natural materials such as papier - mache, wood, clay, palm leaves, leaf sticks etc. The kids would then be encouraged to use such things and adopt a mindset of zero plastic.

 The parents should also be made aware of the benefits of these in PTMs and they should be urged to buy eco-friendly objects for their children.

 In schools, tiffin boxes, water bottles and stationery boxes made of plastic should be meticulously forbidden. Instead, stainless steel should be made mandatory. The students should be told to follow this rule at least one day per week and then the number of days could be increased until plastic is completely forbidden. 

Another important point is that, in every school assembly a short campaign talking about the harmful effects of plastics and how to prevent them, should be implemented. Fun Demonstration Activities should be held at the end of assemblies. Students should also be taught the ways in which plastics could be reused, recycled and reduced. Eco – clubs should be made an integral part of the school curriculum where students are edified the different techniques that could serve a significant role in replacing plastic at a huge scale. 

They should be shown inspiring videos about environmentalists who are consistently participating and trying to develop new ways to substitute plastic. In assessments and activities that are held, rules of ‘WZP’ and ‘OWP’ an abbreviation of ‘With Zero Plastic’ and ‘Only Waste Plastic’, for each activity must be included. This would involve students to vigorously follow the reducing plastic and reusing plastic policy. This would also broaden their thinking capacity as to why plastic is being avoided as a result of which they would go forward themselves and research on it.

 Food festivals should be held in schools every year where students and parents are invited and instructed about the usage of iron vessels, stainless steel, ceramic plates and bowls and traditional earthen mud pots. They should be made aware of the hazardous effects on using plastic utensils and vessels for cooking and storing food. They should also be told about the advantages of using metallic and ceramic utensils. Using iron kadais helps in increasing the iron content in food. Stainless steel absorbs heat properly and makes the food warm evenly. They should be made to understand and told not to use Teflon non-stick cookware for cooking, or plastic utensils in microwave ovens. Charts and banners should be laid and hung stating all this information. 

The present-day world needs young minds and future environmentalists who can bring a desired change in the mindset of the humanity. 

Live without plastic, live life naturally. 

Thank you - 

H.Jatin Vikash 9 E