Successful Awareness Session on Generating a Plastic-free Future Held at Hindagala Seevali Maha Vidyalaya
ZeroPlastic University of Peradeniya conducted an awareness session at Seevali Maha Vidyalaya, Hindagala, for raising environmental consciousness among students. The event was organised to educate school students on plastic pandemic in conjugation with the International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July third.
From July 3rd to 8th, the organising committee posted 30-second videos on social media, based on International Plastic Bag Free Day and damages caused by the plastic bag to the environment, together with alternatives of plastic. These videos set the stage for the awareness session.
The program commenced at noon of July 8th, at the school premises. The first session was handled by Mr. Tharusha Manuhara, the Director of ZP Talks’24 project, and Miss Sewmini Sithara, the secretary of the project. They spoke on plastic usage, global plastic consumption, and how they are causing harm to the environment, while promoting the use of plastic alternatives.
Next, a third-year undergraduate from the Faculty of Agriculture, Mr. D.D.S. Jayaweera, presented how he utilised waste materials in his business, Daskon Creations, where he would turn agricultural by-products into items like greeting cards and bags. The students showed a great deal of interest in the products, after which Mr. Jayaweera gave out a few products to drive the point of eco-friendly practices at home. A positive response session closed off the event, with the students thanking and assuring their commitment to reducing plastic usage.
It was a big step towards environmental stewardship and plastic-waste reduction among the younger generation. This awareness session by ZeroPlastic University of Peradeniya showed that the university community works together to ensure a plastic-free future.