On October 9th, 2023, in a collaborative effort by the Departments of Urban Development, Municipal Affairs, and School Education, along with the Earth Alliance and Mumbai Sustainable Centre NGOs, a sensitization workshop on the management of Multi-Layer Plastics (MLPs) and Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) was held at the Kohima Capital Convention Centre. The workshop drew participation from numerous students representing various schools in Kohima.
The workshop's introductory session was led by Thangi Mannen, the Founder of Earth Alliance, a newly formed organization dedicated to advocating for the awareness of the environmental impacts of plastic waste. Earth Alliance's primary objective is to collaborate with various NGOs and government agencies to educate communities about the critical issue of plastic waste management.
Rising Aggarwal, the Founder of Mumbai Sustainable Centre, highlighted the Safi Bank Initiative, which focuses on the responsible management of Multi-Layer Plastics. He encouraged students to carry lightweight bags to collect MLPs from schools, roads, and homes, depositing them in Safi banks located in schools. MLPs, when collected and prepared dry and neatly, can serve as an alternative fuel source, as they are derived from crude oil. The collected MLPs from schools will be part of a competition with prizes, and the collected MLPs will be sent to the Dalmia Cement plant in Meghalaya. Aggarwal also urged students to take the lead not only in collecting and cleaning MLPs but also in educating their communities about maintaining clean homes and environments, supplementing his message with informative slides on waste management.
Kevileno Angami, Commissioner and Secretary of School Education for the Government of Nagaland, expressed appreciation for the workshop's organizers and stressed the omnipresence of plastic in our lives, from bags to bottles, acknowledging the need for responsible plastic waste management. She placed confidence in schoolchildren to serve as role models in changing and cleaning the environment, paving the way for a cleaner, more beautiful future.
Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, emphasized the global urgency of effective garbage management and its impact on public health. He pointed out that plastic waste, especially MLPs and SUPs, clogs drains, leading to various diseases. Rio called for citizens to assume responsibility for cleaning their environments and properly disposing of MLPs, SUPs, and other waste. Drawing inspiration from countries like Japan and South Korea, known for their cleanliness, he urged a renewed commitment to cleanliness and suggested integrating waste management into the school curriculum to empower the younger generation to lead the way in building a responsible and cleaner society.
Lanusenla Longkumer, Administrator of the Kohima Municipal Council, emphasized the collective responsibility of waste management. The workshop included a Q&A session involving both organizers and students, and Ella's Mary, Co-founder of Earth Alliance, concluded the event with a note of gratitude.
(L. Shahoto Yimchunger, IA)
