Plastic Free July is a global movement to raise awareness about plastic pollution and urge people to take action against it. We bring to you a series of real-life changes that are taking place at the grassroots. Read on for the third one!
My happiest moment of the day? Children coming in the morning, school bags dangling, with their fists tightly clenching small bags full of plastic, excited to show me how they are going to deposit it in the plastic banks set up by SDC Foundation.
Why it makes me so happy? It is these very children who are developing positive habits and contributing to the crucial factor of behaviour change where plastic pollution is concerned. They are learning not to litter and dissuade people from doing so as well.
It’s not like there aren’t challenges to this, however. We have to ceaselessly work to create awareness and ensure that this habit becomes a core one in the long run. For instance, our three big dustbins would fill up in a matter of two days when we started this initiative in March. And then, after the summer holidays, it was, “Sorry, ma’am, I forgot to get plastic today,” or “I’ll get it tomorrow.”
The good habit was broken. So what I did was increase the number of Plastic Praharis (children appointed to encourage plastic collection) from three to six, got them badges that they could wear daily with pride, and talk about the importance of plastic segregation during morning assemblies. These children have been chosen carefully from class eight, nine, eleven and twelve. I encourage teachers as well. And so, the
collection drive is gaining momentum again. What is so heartening is that children from class one to five are getting maximum plastic! They are the most enthusiastic.
As I mentioned, the big learning here is that the efforts must be constant and consistent.
As an animal lover, I feel I am doing my bit, however small it may be, from this plastic either ending up in the guts of stray cattle, or harming other creatures on land or sea. If even more people think like this, we
can really make a significant difference to the plastic menace.
After all, we have Indore as an example of a city that has tackled its waste management so successfully. The only difference between them and us is the willingness to do so. The mantra is to not only make our
own efforts but also to spread the word, as far and wide as possible.
My own family and extended family are a part of the plastic awareness drive. My family teases me every time I notice someone littering in public and reprimand them.
But I feel compelled to carry on with this good fight. In fact, some students from a private B.Ed college had come to our school for internship, and I was talking about our plastic collection drive. One of their faculty was also present and was so impressed with the project that she got in touch with her principal. I then went and met her, and she wants to start the plastic bank in her college, too! And that is how good work always finds a way to multiply.
Author is Principal, Bhawani Balika Government Inter College, Dehradun.
