Five Winners Announced for Plastic Ban Competition
Five winners were announced yesterday for the Plastic Bag Social Media Campaign competition initiated by the Ministry of Economy.
Among them is 26-year-old Zohaar Khan, whose passion for protecting the environment, earned him the third prize.
Other winners are Aisea Kakaivalu for fifth prize, Kulukulu Public School – fourth prize, Darran Davon for second prize and Mereamo Wati for first place.
Mr Khan is a Business Development Executive with Star Printery and a University of the South Pacific final year Human Resource and International Business Management student.
He praised the plastic bag ban and said people needed to open their eyes to the long term effects of using plastic bags.
For his video entry, he used a pillow case, potato sack and cut pieces of garment to create a recycled shopping bag.
The intention, he says, is to motivate people and businesses to utilise available recycled
materials bags.
Late last year, he said Star Printery embarked on a project to introduce paper made products to their line.
“It’s our responsibility as individuals to promote the ban of styrofoam and plastic bags. This is something that I have been doing while growing up,” Mr Khan said.
“In 2015, I was a King contestant for the Hibiscus festival
to
create
reusable
and my message was on mate change.”
Mr Khan is heavily involved in environmental work, having been a participant for the Duke of Edinburg Award. He said the major challenge in trying to get people to refrain from using plastics was the cost factor.
“People are always thinking of the cost aspect of using plastics, it’s cheaper compared to paper made products, but
clithey are not looking at the long term effects.
“Also when we promote the purchase of recycled and reusable bags from local vendors, money is retained within the economy.”
Another award ceremony for the campaign is expected to be held at the Kulukulu Primary School this Thursday.