Japser students are Recycling On the Go ambassadors
Jasper Williams High School has launched its ‘Recycling On the Go (ROG) Ambassadors Programme.
The Lautoka-based all girls school is the second in Fiji to implement the initiative.
Jai Narayan College in Suva was the first to launched the programme. It is a joint venture between the Pacific Recycling Foundation and Swire Shipping.
While officiating at the launch, the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Aseri Radrodro, said the same programme would be launched at the Nadi Sangam Primary School.
“There are so many great resources, books and tools to get students excited, educated and aware of why recycling and sustainability is so important these days,” he said. “While this is great, it is equally important that this theoretical knowledge be put into practice. “Therefore initiatives such as the Recycling On the Go Ambassadors programme provides an opportunity for young ones to have hands-on experience taking care of our environment and most importantly, learning to be responsible young citizens making a difference schools and communities.”
He said it was through recycling that students gained an understanding of their responsibility to protect the environment.
Jasper Williams High School principal Vanita Kumar said the initiative would not have been possible without the support of relevant stakeholders.
“We are grateful for your collaboration and your commitment to these important goals. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and contribute to a more sustainable future,” she said. in
Pacific Recycling Foundation chief executive officer Amitesh Deo said the 32 Jasper Williams High School ROG ambassadors would work with the Pacific Recyclers to provide awareness on recycling and be active voices for marginalised communities.
“Our project with Jasper Williams is close to our hearts. We recognise that gender is an important component in many sectors including waste management,” he said. “Women and girls generally see waste differently than their male counterparts. Even here in Fiji, we have women waste pickers who have been involved in this work for over 23 years.”
Swire Shipping Pte Limited representative Virashna Singh said the company established the Moana Taka Partnership (MTP) in 2018 to provide ocean freight-free shipment of low-value non-commercial recyclables.
“Swire Shipping has been bringing in finished goods to the Pacific for decades, we realised that the packaging of these finished goods is often discarded in landfills making us part of the problem,” she said.
“To be part of the solution, we started investing in projects to influence behaviour change.”