By Andrew Aijuka
Environment discussions among the young generation have recently picked ground with the rise of activism among school-going children. The young people have come up with several initiatives such as Friday for Future strikes that have become adopted by most schools and children from across the world to push world leaders to adhere to their promises on curbing activities causing climate change.
For most children around the world taking part in environmental activism, the planet is on the verge of destruction due to human ecological degradation activities like the production of plastic and the improper waste management systems that make plastic a menace for most communities in the world.
According to research by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, plastic can release harmful toxins into our food, water, and the environment. Experts worldwide are also researching plastics’ possible health risks. The chemicals that people are most concerned about are phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA).
In Uganda mainly, there is the widespread use of plastics ranging from plastic water bottles to plastic bags that most Ugandans use to carry foodstuff and other items. The National Environment Act 2019 provides for the banning of single-use plastics of 30 microns and below. The law also requires the labelling of plastics for easy traceability.
However, according to the national environment watchdog NEMA, over 600 tonnes of plastics are produced daily in the country. Only 40% of this waste is collected and disposed of properly, and the remaining 60% finds its way into the environment leading to several problems.
To emphasize the value of waste, different schools and organizations during World Recycling Day this year put up a plastic bottle boat building competition and regatta at the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club at Kaazi. Over a dozen schools and scores of organizations showcased the alternate uses of plastic waste and the viability of a circular economy in Uganda.
The goal of the competition and regatta was to have each school/organization bring the plastic bottle boat/canoe/raft children have built and compete in a short regatta (approx. 100 meters) at the Sailing Club. Teams came from VNSC, 7Hills, and ISU, and organizations like EcoWays, EcoBrix, Ecoaction, Reform Africa, Ghetto Research Lab, Takataka Plastics, Kinawataka Women’s Initiative, along with GoU initiatives such as the Ministry of Water and Environment Appropriate Technology Centre) showcased the viability of a circular economy in Uganda was explored.
Fowler Harriet, the organizer of this annual event, says they aim to encourage schools to have proper waste management systems where all waste is separated and disposed of properly without causing harm to the environment.
During the marking of World Recycling Day 2023, the Buganda Kingdom sent a representative, Mukasa Kavuma Honorato. He handed over the prizes to the children for the best design and the fastest boat/raft/canoe.
According to Kavuma, the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club at Kaazi has worked closely with the community in Busabala since 1987. He committed himself to identifying more schools from the community in next year’s competition in a bid to sensitize the younger generation on how to manage plastic waste.
According to the World Bank, solving the plastic problem is part of solving the climate problem.
The World Bank also notes that solutions for plastics waste and plastics substitutes will need to come through innovations, knowledge, and education that can help create enduring solutions to plastic pollution and develop systems whereby communities can turn waste into wealth, a concept that views waste management of all types as a resource rather than refuse.
The circular economy initiatives aim at mitigating the Climate crisis. The end waste becomes waste only when wasted. Reuse, Reducing, and Recycling are central to the circular economy and are crucial.
This story was produced by InfoNile
