International Plastic Free Day 2019

“It is one world. And it’s in our care. For the first time in history of humanity, for the first time in 500 million years, one species has the future in the palm of its hand. I just hope he realises that that is the case.’’  ~ Sir David Attenborough

It was in the year 1862 that the revolutionary invention of plastic was made by Alexander Parkes. A few years later, in 1868 John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer as a substitute for ivory with need to preserve natural resources. Since then, there has been no looking back to the usage of this magical material, being durable, pliable, light and relatively inert by nature. Plastic is considered as one of the first fully man-made material with no natural resources involved in it. Plastic made it huge in the market and became a solution for almost everything. Despite the hazardous effects, plastic became a part of everyone’s lives; so much so that in recent decades, we have all witnessed the drastic change that our planet has undergone. It has become essential to eradicate plastic for the future generations to breathe in a cleaner environment. It was until recently that ‘Plastic free day’ became a part of ‘International Plastic Bag free world’ initiative commenced in 2010 by GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives), Fundacio Prevencio Residus I Consum and Zero Waste Europe. This day is a call for everyone to come together to combat one of the major environmental challenges: to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags in the world. Most plastic bags take hundreds of years to degrade, and many aren’t even easy to recycle. They collect in the ocean, affecting wildlife and even making their way back into the food we eat.

3rd July ‘International Plastic free day’ came up as a unique opportunity to spread the word that a plastic free world is possible. At Victorious Kidss Educares, we strive to involve students in varied initiatives to make them aware of their surroundings and imbibe international mindedness considering the global perspectives. Our young and dynamic environmental campaigners of MYP have taken a step forward towards the betterment of future generations with great enthusiasm and zeal. The hands-on activities conducted by our IB facilitators were to educate, get educated on plastic ban and to adopt a lifestyle to bring back the healthy environment we once lived in. It is to bring about a change on a local level to imprint an impact globally. The activities, conducted across all the disciplines and grades were of a varied range: from understanding the hazards of living in toxic environment full of plastic to finding alternatives to live in a sustainable environment. With an aim of making students realise that their consistent efforts will contribute to a better world for tomorrow. Our perspective to view any issue and idea should change and we should transcend beyond our local and national boundaries to make world a better place to live. Our curious minds of MYP 2, during Science sessions, recorded the trash they generated in daily lives using four corner method, followed by reflection to use resources wisely by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering. MYP 1 students were engaged in an interactive activity “There is no away” to list down the ways and techniques to reuse and recycle plastics which developed International mindedness and communication skills as each one voiced their opinion on this global issue.

Human lifestyle has played a huge role in this deplorable situation of the environment today. Our daily products such as body washes and facial scrubs have plastic particles in them which further cannot be processed thus leaving them on the Earth forever. Our MYP 2 Combined Design students researched on harmful effects of ‘Microbeads’ on environment. They created posters to spread awareness on the necessity to ban them.  MYP 3 students explored the global context ‘Globalization and Sustainability’ wherein they got the opportunity to study the ‘Interconnectedness of the human made systems and the communities’. Students presented a case study of a product of their own choice to show its effects on the community followed by a quiz to gain an insight of their knowledge on use of plastic and the after effects. Students made sustainable product designs with the help of waste or used materials like plastic bottles, straws, plastic plates etc. in the D.Tech. lab thus developing their creative thinking skills.

An Indian consumes 11kilogram plastic every year. According to September 2017 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which extrapolated data from 60 major cities, the country generates around 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste a day. According to the latest report on the Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules published in 2016, the plastic waste generated across the country is close to 1.6 million tonnes a year, with almost half of it coming from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Students of Mathematics researched and calculated the amount of plastic waste generated in different countries.  MYP 1 students worked around the data of Plastic production and its consumption thus leading to discussion of the issues related to disposal of the plastic waste. As an alternative to plastic bags, students readily made newspaper bags in different shapes and sizes. Students of MYP 1,2 and 3 celebrated Plastic Free day with the Language and Literature department with a great zeal with activities such as talk shows, where the students posed as government representatives in plastic industry, environmentalists and marine animal consumers and discussed issues with emphasis on the impact of plastic on ocean. The essay writing, letter writing, poetry making, slogan writing, poster making, quiz etc were held on the theme of ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ and ‘Save the Earth’. Students were shown a short video of ‘how plastic use affects the earth’ and based on the ill effects seen in the video students wrote a letter from the earth’s point of view, telling people about its pain due to plastic and requesting people not to use plastic anymore to save earth with a promise to adopt green ways of life. MYP 1 to 3 Visual Arts students joined their hands together to ‘Save Earth’ by reusing the plastic we use in daily lives. To generate Best out of Waste, students brought plastic bottles from home. Using their unique ingenious ideas, students used them for artistic expression inspired by nature for decoration purposes. Students came up with wonderful ideas such as flowers, fish, octopus, jelly fish, wall hangings etc. The motive was to make students realise that plastic can be reused for multiple purposes using innovative creative ideas. Further, students of Drama were engaged in making informative video emphasising on understanding the plastic that is required daily but is not hazardous for the environment to ensure that students think from all the perspectives while finding solutions to resolve a global issue.Students learning French sung ‘Uptown funk’ encompassing the hazards of plastic use and importance of recycling. MYP 2 students made slogans in French to create awareness and express their concern towards saving the environment by banning or restricting plastic use. They worked collaboratively to complete and create a collage of their slogans. Similarly, Hindi students enjoyed the song ‘Tik Tik plastic’ further presenting dance and skits to spread awareness on harmful effects of plastic.

Individuals and Societies students were enthusiastic to celebrate the UN Plastic Bag Free Day. Students brainstormed on the effects of plastic on the environment. In collaboration, students created badges, slogans and posters to spread awareness on harmful effects of plastic on the planet, alternative use of plastic and solutions for making our Mother Earth a plastic free planet.

The most patriotic thing you can do is to take care of the environment and try to live sustainably’’ rightly said by Robert F Kennedy Junior makes us realise our responsibilities to conserve and preserve our environment as global citizens. We at VKE, have pledged to a plastic free environment. As per the policy implemented by India in 2017, to stop use of single-use plastic, we take oath to switch to alternatives such as cloth bags, reusable bio-degradable plastic or other sustainable material. After all, this generation is all about ensuring meaningful local contribution towards one significant global solution.

Sources: “An Indian Consumes 11kg Plastic Every Year and an Average American 109kg.” Down To Earth, www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/an-indian-consumes-11-kg-plastic-every-year-and-an-average-american-109-kg-60745

“Plastic Free Day.” Plastic Free Challenge, www.plasticfreeday.co.uk/

“The History and Future of Plastics.” Science History Institute, 20 Dec. 2016, www.sciencehistory.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics.

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