TURN Plastic Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, has trained students of Bloombreed High School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on recycling of plastic bottles to turn waste to wealth.
The NGO emphasized the importance of turning waste into value and taught the SS1 students of the school how to transform waste into valuable resources by recycling plastic bottles.
This was as the Foundation launched the ‘Environmental Protection Club’ during the event, held on Monday, it was stated in a press release.
At the event, Mrs. Ihuoma Njemanze, Project Manager, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), spoke on the significance of environmental sustainability.
She said the Foundation, in collaboration with its supporters showcased video presentations that shed light on the origins and environmental impact of plastics.
This, she said, aligned with its mission to promote sustainable waste management, segregation, sorting, and recycling from an early age.
She noted that the training and seminar was part of activities set aside by the NGO to mark the 2023 edition of the World Environment Day.
According to her, the Foundation launched an ‘Environmental Protection Club’ at the school, an initiative designed to stimulate an enthusiasm for recycling among students.
Njemanze said that the Foundation will support the ‘Environmental Protection Club’ with learning resources, art materials, and excursions.
Recall that the theme for the World Environment Day 2023, “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, is under the campaign #Beat Plastic Pollution.
“Commissioned in February 2022, TURN Plastic Foundation boasts of a 1000 tonnes capacity plant capable of saving over 750 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to planting about 4,500 trees annually.
“As part of its environmental awareness campaign, focusing on behavioral change, TURN Plastic Foundation has set up an innovative initiative termed: Train Up a Child (TUC).
“This is part of the Foundation’s dedication to promoting a circular economy and engaging young individuals in interactive recycling activities demonstrating their commitment to combating plastic pollution and building a greener, more sustainable future.
“The ultimate goal is to raise environmental awareness among young Nigerians and instill a sense of responsibility for future generations,” Mrs. Njemanze stated in the release.
The students actively participated in various interactive sessions at the training event.
These included an art and craft activity where they learned creative ways to reuse plastics and a quiz session that tested their knowledge of plastics and plastic waste.
“To add to the excitement, the students were treated to an informative visit to the TURN Plastics Recycling Plant in Elelenwo,” Mrs Njemanze added.
Following the success of the inaugural event, Mrs. Njemanze expressed the commitment of the Foundation to reaching out to more than 23 schools in Port Harcourt.
She also disclosed that arrangement is place towards establishing recycling hubs to sustain the positive momentum.
Furthermore, Njemanze said the Foundation intended to empower young individuals by offering them opportunities to earn income through cash rewards for depositing their plastic waste in designated recycling bins.
“Through these efforts, TURN Plastic Foundation aims to educate both young people and consumers about the importance of plastics recycling.
“It will also seek to encourage the purchase of products made with post-consumer recycled resins (PCR),” she added.
Mrs. Njemanze extended her appreciation to the collaborators and partners, Mr. Leo Nwofa and Mrs. Uloma Airhienbuwa, for their invaluable contributions to the success of the event.
“TURN Plastic Foundation firmly believes that individuals play a crucial role in achieving sustainability and encourages the public to actively participate in environmental preservation.
“The foundation welcomes partnerships and collaborations from the bodies and members of the public,” she added.
