Latest news with #BeatPlasticPollution
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Schools in Mysuru to take up ‘Beat Plastic Pollution' campaign
In view of the growing threat to the environment from non-biodegradable plastic material, schools in Mysuru will be embarking on a unique 'Beat Plastic Pollution' campaign under which students will be asked to collect discarded plastic pieces and deposit the same at a designated place in the school. A note issued by the office of Deputy Director (Administration) of School Education Department in Mysuru said the Beat Plastic Pollution campaign envisages the collection of 10 pieces of discarded plastic daily by the students, who will deposit the same in a designated place in the school. 'After 10 days, the officials from the City Corporation, Municipality, Town Municipality, Gram Panchayat, Town Panchayat should be called to arrange for the disposal of the collected plastics' said the note. All schools to implement The Beat Plastic Pollution campaign is to be implemented in all Government, aided and unaided schools in Mysuru as part of an initiative to create awareness against plastic. The note issued by the Deputy Director of School Education Department in Mysuru has asked all Block Education Officers of the district to implement the campaign in all government, aided and unaided schools in their respective jurisdictions. The heads of the institutions should be given appropriate guidance in the regard so that use of plastic is gradually reduced. The note cites a message received by the School Education Department from environmentalist Vasanth Kumar Mysoremath with regard to the Beat Plastic Pollution campaign. In his suggestion to the Education Department, Mr. Mysoremath, who is also a leading anti-tobacco campaigner in Mysuru, said children can be made 'achievers' by asking them to bring 10 pieces or more of discarded plastic from their homes or anywhere and place them in a designated place in their respective schools. 'If there are 1,000 schools with 200 students in each school and if the students bring 10 pieces of plastic every day for 10 days, we will be arresting 2,00,00,000 (two crore) pieces of discarded plastic from our environment in 10 days', he said while adding that no expenditure is incurred for achieving this 'innovative, doable, replicable, economical and sustainable' environment plan of action. After ten days, the heads of institution call the municipal authorities and request them to collect the plastic pieces gathered by the students of their school. Mr. Mysoremath also suggested that the authorities may consider using the discarded plastic stock for laying roads with the available technology. The authorities may also consider awarding certificates of honour to the schools and children for collecting the maximum quantity of plastic, said Mr. Mysoremath.
Deccan Herald
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Vidya Soudha students pledge to protect Earth
Vidya Soudha Public School, KIADB, Hassan, celebrated Environment Day with a special assembly and a series of awareness activities. Principal Mrs Mamatha Natesh inaugurated the event by planting a sapling and addressing the students on this year's theme Beat Plastic Pollution, urging everyone to rethink and reduce plastic use. Students performed a soulful skit dedicated to Mother Earth, highlighting issues such as excessive plastic use and environmental degradation. They also donated saplings for the school garden, pledging to care for them daily. The celebration concluded with cultural events and inspiring speeches promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Zawya
11-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Beni: Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO) Celebrates World Environment Day by Planting Trees in a School
In Beni, North Kivu Province, MONUSCO celebrated World Environment Day on Thursday, June 5, by organizing an awareness campaign and planting trees at a local school. ' It's a very important day ' said Adam Obatoki Salami, acting head of the UN mission's sub-office. Celebrated every year on June 5 since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public awareness, observed by millions of people around the world. According to Adam Obatoki Salami, this year's celebration was an opportunity to raise awareness about the harmful impact and dangers of plastic materials that pollute the environment. The theme chosen for this year is: ' Beat Plastic Pollution. '. ' It's a call for everyone to take responsibility so that we can collectively protect our environment and fight against the dangers of plastic pollution. Our message to the people of Beni is, first, that MONUSCO is committed to combating plastic pollution, working toward a better environment, and raising awareness so people consider environmental issues in their daily lives. We've planned several awareness activities throughout the city for this day. ' noted Adam Obatoki. Among these activities were tree planting events at MONUSCO's Mavivi base and at Matembo Primary School, along with public awareness meetings on environmental protection. Moïse Adirodu, Head of Administration and Finance at the environmental coordination office in Beni, believes MONUSCO is fulfilling its role in full cooperation with local authorities: ' MONUSCO plays an active role in environmental management. It implements waste management strategies and makes efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in its decision-making processes, in line with the objectives of the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit. Through its actions in the city of Beni, MONUSCO has become a key partner for our environmental coordination. I'd like to recall that when the mayor of Beni launched the community cleanup initiatives—commonly known as Salongo—MONUSCO was leading from the front. We truly appreciate this kind of partnership ' he said. According to the United Nations, more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year, half of which is designed for single use. Less than 10% of this plastic is recycled. An estimated 11 million tons of plastic end up in lakes, rivers, and oceans annually—and Beni's rivers are no exception. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
#WorldEnvironmentDay: New recycling initiative to minimise South Africa's impact on Antarctica
In line with the 2025 World Environment Day theme - #BeatPlasticPollution - Polyco has announced a new initiative that will see the removal, transport, and recycling of waste from South Africa's research bases in Antarctica and Marion Island. The project is being run in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and Innocence and Sons Recycling, and will see this waste brought back aboard the SA Agulhas II, South Africa's polar supply and research vessel (see pictures here). All waste generated at the South African National Antarctic Programme (Sanap) research stations is carefully sorted at source into recyclables (plastics, glass, paper, cans), general waste, organic waste, hazardous materials, and sewage (treated separately). In line with the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection, no waste is dumped or discarded in these sensitive ecosystems. Once securely packaged, the waste is shipped back to Cape Town Harbour aboard the SA Agulhas II, where its journey continues into South Africa's recycling economy. Recycling without borders 'This project proves that even in the most remote and fragile environments, meaningful action to #BeatPlasticPollution is possible,' said Patricia Pillay, CEO of Polyco. 'It's a powerful demonstration of circularity in action showing that no place is too far, and no effort too small, when it comes to protecting our planet.' The project also includes a novel approach to food waste: frozen kitchen scraps from the polar stations are being repurposed as animal feed, further reducing landfill disposal and expanding the range of waste streams recovered. Polyco's project partner, Innocence and Sons Recycling, processes these materials using innovative mobile recycling tools like the Packa-Ching trailer. Once offloaded, recyclables are weighed, sorted, and fed back into the circular economy supporting job creation, reducing pollution, and enabling local environmental impact. 'This is recycling without borders,' added Innocence Smit, founder of Innocence and Sons. 'We're turning waste into worth and showing that even plastic from Antarctica can support livelihoods and drive sustainability here in South Africa.'
Scoop
07-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
World Environment Day: UN Sounds Alarm On Plastic Pollution Crisis
4 June 2025 Between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and without urgent action, this figure is expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040. Plastic pollution is contaminating every corner of the planet, threatening ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Microplastics are found in food, water and air, with the average person estimated to ingest over 50,000 plastic particles each year, and far more when inhalation is included. If the climate crisis goes unaddressed, with plastic pollution as a major driver, air pollution levels exceeding safe thresholds could rise by 50 per cent within a decade. Meanwhile, plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments may triple by 2040. Global action day To rally momentum, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is leading the 52nd annual World Environment Day on 5 June, the world's largest platform for environmental outreach. This year's commemoration is hosted by Jeju, Republic of Korea, under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution. Since launching in 2018, the UNEP-led campaign has advocated for a just and inclusive transition away from plastic dependency. The day brings together governments, businesses, communities, and individuals in a shared mission to protect and restore the planet, while advancing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those linked to climate action and sustainable consumption. Towards a treaty A major focus of the day is the ongoing push for a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Countries are currently negotiating an international, legally binding agreement, with the next round of talks scheduled for August. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an 'ambitious, credible and just agreement' that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, reflects community needs, aligns with the SDGs and is implemented quickly and fully. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen echoed the call, urging nations to unite behind innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic use. World Environment Day serves as a catalyst for action, driving attention toward the UN Environment Assembly later this year – where hopes are high that nations will finalise concrete steps to curb plastic pollution and address the broader climate emergency.
