By Modupe Gbadeyanka
It was an exciting and educating moment for some students of Bloombreed High School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State when they were sensitised on how to turn waste into wealth through recycling plastic bottles.
The students were put through this waste recycling process by a not-for-profit organisation known as TURN Plastic Foundation, which also used the occasion to launch an Environmental Protection Club at the school on Monday to stimulate enthusiasm for recycling among students.
A Project Manager from the United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR), Mrs Ihuoma Njemanze, who was at the event, highlighted the significance of environmental sustainability.
The students were shown video presentations that shed light on the origins and environmental impact of plastics, aligning with the mission to promote sustainable waste management, segregation, sorting, and recycling from an early age.
Mrs Njemanze assured that the foundation would support the club with learning resources, art materials, and excursions.
“Commissioned in February last year, TURN Plastic Foundation boasts a 1,000 tonnes capacity plant capable of saving over 750 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to planting about 4,500 trees annually,” she said.
“As part of its environmental awareness campaign, focusing on behavioural 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 instil a sense of responsibility for future generations,” she added.
At the event, the students actively participated in various interactive sessions, including an art and craft activity where they learned creative ways to reuse plastics. They also took part in a quiz session that tested their knowledge of plastics and plastic waste.
Following the success of the inaugural event, Mrs Njemanze expressed the foundation’s commitment to reaching out to more than 23 schools in Port Harcourt and establishing recycling hubs to sustain the positive momentum.
She thanked Mr Leo Nwofa and Mrs Uloma Airhienbuwa for their invaluable contributions to the success of the event, noting that individuals play a crucial role in achieving sustainability.