School awareness programme on making Galle city plastic waste free

A hybrid event entitled ‘Addressing Plastic Waste at the Global, National and Local Levels’ sought to engage students’ critical thinking on the use of plastic, drawing on the latest data, policy and market developments concerning the generation and management of plastic materials. Students from three schools in Galle city participated.

Over 120 students from Vidyaloka College, Jayawardhana College, and Sacred Heart Convent participated in this awareness programme about the causes and consequences of, and the solutions to the plastic pollution.

The event was officially opened by Prasanna Senevirathna, Principal of Vidyaloka College, who spoke about the school’s vision to achieve a zero-plastic future.

The programme featured lectures delivered by several international experts working in the field of environmental science and sustainable development.

Chathura Welivitiya, Chairman of the Human and Environment Progressive Link Organisation (HELP-O) discussed the work of HELP-O in advancing local plastic reduction initiatives in key sectors within Galle city, including in schools, and the hospitality, garment manufacturing and fisheries industries.

Matthew Hengesbaugh and Dr Amila Abeynayaka, two researchers working with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan, focused on the history and scope of the plastic challenge, recent policy developments, as well as tools and methods for measuring plastic in the environment.

A number of high-level government officials were also in attendance, including Vidura Kariyawasam, Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Suranji

Weragoda, Deputy Director of Education, Southern Province Education Department, who spoke on the urgency of tackling transboundary plastic pollution, and the role of students in conserving and protecting the environment.

Co-organised by IGES and HELP-O, the event is part of a larger project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) to support implementation of the Basel Rotterdam Stockholm Convention in Sri Lanka, aimed at promoting the environmentallysound management of plastic waste in Galle city.

Additional pilot activities will be also organised to involve students in citizen science-led research on actions and measures to minimise and prevent marine plastic leakage within their communities.