A special awareness campaign was held at Kumudini Government College, Tangail, with the funding of The Coca-Cola Foundation, in collaboration with UNDP and organized by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) to increase environmental awareness and proper plastic waste management.
115 students and 25 teachers at the college participated in the program. The participants were informed about the excessive use of plastic and its harmful effects. In addition, the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling single-use plastic products was highlighted. Emphasis was placed on changing habits in the use of plastic products and developing environmentally friendly behavior among students.
The program discussed the long-term impact of plastic pollution on the environment, biodiversity and public health. The program discussed the importance of students’ awareness and active participation in protecting the environment. Students were encouraged to reduce the use of plastic in their daily lives and use sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.
The program discussed the introduction of regular “Cleaning Day” programs in educational institutions, so that students can play an active role in protecting the environment. In addition, initiatives were taken to connect students and teachers with hawkers, scrap dealers and van drivers who collect plastic waste from homes. As a result, it will be easier to reach recycling traders for clean and usable plastic materials at a fixed price and effective management of plastic waste will be ensured.
As part of the program, college authorities were requested to take steps for waste segregation and proper management. At the same time, participants were made aware of the importance of waste segregation at source and the separate storage of recyclable materials.
In the concluding phase of the program, students were encouraged to reduce the use of single-use plastic and use environmentally friendly alternatives. In addition, an oath was taken by promising to bring positive changes in their behavior, protect nature, environment and public health, not litter anywhere, and to play their role as a responsible citizen.
The organizers expressed the hope that such initiatives will increase environmental awareness among students, play a positive role in reducing plastic pollution, and make an important contribution to ensuring sustainable waste management. At the same time, such educational institution-based activities will help to develop future generations as more responsible and aware citizens in preserving the environment.
