Introductory Video
Our aim
Our aim is to spread awareness of the uses and wastage of plastic and how negatively it can and is impacting the world. It is one of the major sources of pollution with 60% to 95% of the world's waste being plastic debris. An incredibly high amount! What steps can we take to help our planet?
Part 1. The life story of a plastic bottle
How does a plastic bottle's life start... and how does it end?
Here's a simple video that shows what happens!
As mentioned in the video, some of the best alternatives of plastic bottles are:
- Stainless steel bottles
- Daily use plastic bottles (washable and reusable)
They are the most common and are cheap and easily available in all countries around the world.
- Stainless steel bottles
- Daily use plastic bottles (washable and reusable)
They are the most common and are cheap and easily available in all countries around the world.
Part 2. Interview with school
How does MBIS manage plastic recycling?
Even at a school level, making sure our environment is sustainably taken care off is very important! So, how do we manage plastic waste at school?
Our policy stands and starts with the assistance of technology. Our school has a machine in which plastic items which get collected throughout the day are then fed into the machine (especially bottles). The recycled plastic is handed over to a professional agency from which the machine has been provided from which is free of charge - a successful recycling then confers tokens which then become an incentive to continue recycling plastic.
The amount of plastic collected is not very high. Students of the school are educated to sustainably use plastic, in most cases, students use steel bottles and everyday use tiffin boxes.
Our school uses external staff - they are the people who provide us which the machine and internally the school staff is trained and educated on the handling of disposed plastic.
There is also much importance to education and awareness plus strict rules and regulations of less to no use of plastic. Our school also stands with the plastic policies that are bestowed by the government.
Due to a smaller crowd and school environment, there is not much challenge in recycling plastic. At a school level, it does not take very long to recycle plastic compared to the city or country level.
The amount of plastic collected is not very high. Students of the school are educated to sustainably use plastic, in most cases, students use steel bottles and everyday use tiffin boxes.
Our school uses external staff - they are the people who provide us which the machine and internally the school staff is trained and educated on the handling of disposed plastic.
There is also much importance to education and awareness plus strict rules and regulations of less to no use of plastic. Our school also stands with the plastic policies that are bestowed by the government.
Due to a smaller crowd and school environment, there is not much challenge in recycling plastic. At a school level, it does not take very long to recycle plastic compared to the city or country level.
Part 3. Interview with organisation
We interviewed the organisation Skrap ( https://www.skrap.in ), due to unavailability of the organisation, we were unable to conduct any calls and so we went for a direct QnA.
Part 4. Interview with students
As for our interviews:
Our group first discussed how we will be conducting the interviews; some were done online and some were done in person. The students that we interviewed were asked permissions by us to upload information such as their names and answers. Most of the interviews lasted 15 minutes and each question was asked one by one as we took note of what they said.
Our group first discussed how we will be conducting the interviews; some were done online and some were done in person. The students that we interviewed were asked permissions by us to upload information such as their names and answers. Most of the interviews lasted 15 minutes and each question was asked one by one as we took note of what they said.
Firstly, here is Reem's interview with: Ishaan Desai (17) & Sia Bubna (16)
From what we can gather here, the usage of plastic have massively reduced over time and there is clear awareness of how much plastic is destroying the environment and how grave the impact of plastic pollution is and so they've switched to the sustainable way of living by using cloth bags and avoiding plastic products.
Here is Jason's interview with: Tamanna Vijayan (16) & Andrea Narohna
Here is Jason's interview with: Tamanna Vijayan (16) & Andrea Narohna
Here are Ansh's interviews with: Neel Mistry(13), Kia Lodha(15), Sachin Goel(15)
To conclude: Plastic is intoxicating the rivers and being eaten by marine life. Plastic, due to its structure, doesn’t break down for thousands (or even millions) of years because of its many layered structure. Plastic can be cut, deformed, and changed into works of art, and alternatives to plastic should be practised.
Microplastics are formed when plastics are produced, cut, or dropped. They pollute our bodies, food, water and the air we breathe. Lots of plastic is already floating in rivers or in lakes. Don’t accept plastic bags from vendors, and take your own bags when shopping. Don’t accept plastic spoons and forks and when you do, reuse them many times before throwing them away.
Spread awareness about using bins properly. Educate people to not throw waste on roads and in rivers, as it clogs the river and builds up on the roads, spreading a horrible stench and strays come to eat the plastic, intoxicating their already compromised body systems with plastic. Steel plates can be used instead of plastic ones, and refrain from buying canteen food as it is both unsafe and (at times) unhealthy. Try to repurpose your plastic waste into something more desirable, and recycle plastic whenever and wherever you can.
Microplastics are formed when plastics are produced, cut, or dropped. They pollute our bodies, food, water and the air we breathe. Lots of plastic is already floating in rivers or in lakes. Don’t accept plastic bags from vendors, and take your own bags when shopping. Don’t accept plastic spoons and forks and when you do, reuse them many times before throwing them away.
Spread awareness about using bins properly. Educate people to not throw waste on roads and in rivers, as it clogs the river and builds up on the roads, spreading a horrible stench and strays come to eat the plastic, intoxicating their already compromised body systems with plastic. Steel plates can be used instead of plastic ones, and refrain from buying canteen food as it is both unsafe and (at times) unhealthy. Try to repurpose your plastic waste into something more desirable, and recycle plastic whenever and wherever you can.
Part 5. Our Observations
Our goal for our observations was: We will identify the amount and variety of plastic collected at our school/residential area for one week. We also have to identify the amount and variety of plastic collected at the home of 2 of the group members. After collecting data, we have to identify: What is going well and what are the areas for improvement?
- Jason's observation:
- Reem's observation:
The most commonly found items were packets of snack items (as there is a grocery store), water bottle, construction bags, and plastic bottles.
Part 6. The Group's Opinion
For our opinions, we researched and concluded what could be the best solution for answering the following criterias:
1. Explain 3 Methods which can actively reduce usage of plastic AND encourage recycling of plastic: Method 1: Take your own cloth bags for shopping
|
2. Eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to plastic: Alternative 1: Hempi) Hemp:
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Alternative 2: Sea Weedii) Seaweed
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Alternative 3: Mushrooms/myceliumiii) Mushrooms/ Mycelium
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
|
Part 7. SDG Activity
The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are seventeen interlinked goals that form a global compass for achieving a more sustainable future in which no one is left behind. The goals focus on challenges concerning People, Planet and Prosperity, such as poverty, education and the climate crisis. Our main topic focuses on the 12th goal that is “ Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns”. One of the targets under this goal is that By 2030, to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The indicator of this target is to assess the national recycling rates. Following this goal we are embarking on a journey of resilience. Plastic sticks around in the environment for ages, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins. Recycling is definitely the way towards protecting our marine environment, reducing usage of fuels,etc. thus achieving the SGD objectives.
For our activity, we chose: Methods of disposing plastic in a one-week period
At home
As per the housing society policy, the waste was separated from the wet waste and BMC officials collected them daily from home and transported it to waste and recycling treatment plants.
Quantity Collected at Home: observed that 10% of the big green recycling can was occupied that is around 2-3kgs. Packets and sweets wrappers accounted for the most waste collected.
Quantity Collected at Home: observed that 10% of the big green recycling can was occupied that is around 2-3kgs. Packets and sweets wrappers accounted for the most waste collected.
At School:
Quantity collected at school: Approx: Over a period of one week 20kgs of plastic was collected from the student classrooms of only the secondary section. The waste since in variety however Carry-home food containers, packets and sweet wrappers accounted for the most waste whereas there were zero disposable cups used by the students.
Methods of disposing of plastic in a one-week period:
In accordance with the interview with the school I found that the plastic recycling was carried out by an agency that the school has tied up with.
Methods of disposing of plastic in a one-week period:
In accordance with the interview with the school I found that the plastic recycling was carried out by an agency that the school has tied up with.
The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
In recent times, our planet has faced a lot of challenges and we are headed in the direction of the periphery of collapse. Thus, in 2015 the United Nations adopted sustainable development goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The fact that all member nations accepted these goals shows that we have a real problem at hand and these 17 goals will help us make a paradigm shift towards sustainability and maintain equilibrium on Earth. Development is a key factor for the human race and it cannot be stopped, however adopting such goals, even at an individual level, makes us stalwarts in the fight against unsustainable development and also manages to counter a plethora of problems.
In recent times, our planet has faced a lot of challenges and we are headed in the direction of the periphery of collapse. Thus, in 2015 the United Nations adopted sustainable development goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The fact that all member nations accepted these goals shows that we have a real problem at hand and these 17 goals will help us make a paradigm shift towards sustainability and maintain equilibrium on Earth. Development is a key factor for the human race and it cannot be stopped, however adopting such goals, even at an individual level, makes us stalwarts in the fight against unsustainable development and also manages to counter a plethora of problems.
Part 8. Re-use of Plastic or Creation of Alternative
Develop a prototype (at school in the science lab), which works as an alternative for plastic. Try to re-use an existing product of plastic to create your product. Make a video of the way you are re-using the plastic or of how you are creating the prototype.
Part 9: Conclusion
Our main research question was: How can we find ways of reducing the usage of plastic and ways of recycling plastic and what are the possible alternatives of plastic?
This project widened our view on plastic recycling as a whole, and so to conclude, we say that what we need is Team Effort. The problem of plastic waste is something that only the world can resolve as a whole. To find ways of reduction, we have to work together and take action - beach clean ups, spreading awareness, encourage recycling, raise money to fund recycling plants and just day to day home activities where we should move away from constantly using plastic.
This project widened our view on plastic recycling as a whole, and so to conclude, we say that what we need is Team Effort. The problem of plastic waste is something that only the world can resolve as a whole. To find ways of reduction, we have to work together and take action - beach clean ups, spreading awareness, encourage recycling, raise money to fund recycling plants and just day to day home activities where we should move away from constantly using plastic.
As for alternatives, they are slowly rising up like - Seaweed, Mycelium, and simple items such as cloth. The more we study and indulge into the problems, the quicker and more efficiently we'll be able to solve them.
We can choose to observe our and others habits and turn them more sustainable, we can deny plastic bags, we can use steel bottles, we can reuse plastic in our school projects and more. Small steps taken can cause a huge impact.
With our research, we have also become more open-minded and knowledgeable about the issues of plastic usage and its wastage and we hope to spread it to anybody we can!
We can choose to observe our and others habits and turn them more sustainable, we can deny plastic bags, we can use steel bottles, we can reuse plastic in our school projects and more. Small steps taken can cause a huge impact.
With our research, we have also become more open-minded and knowledgeable about the issues of plastic usage and its wastage and we hope to spread it to anybody we can!
Evidence of Communication:
How did we stay in touch?
Communication definitely forms the basis of a team to reach one's goals. Hence, right from the beginning, when our teams were formed we reached out to each other via mail. After our first meeting, we decided in order to communicate effectively, WhatsApp would be a very good platform to constantly be in touch with each other. We decided to hold meetings on google meet every fifteen days according to everyone's convenience. In these meetings we would delegate work amongst each other, ask questions and doubts, plan ahead of how we would go about our investigation and also update the team on how much work was completed. However, quite rarely we did have times wherein some members of the team would miss deadlines or have other commitments but we would seek it out amongst ourselves and most importantly cooperate with one another which made us a stronger team.
Communication definitely forms the basis of a team to reach one's goals. Hence, right from the beginning, when our teams were formed we reached out to each other via mail. After our first meeting, we decided in order to communicate effectively, WhatsApp would be a very good platform to constantly be in touch with each other. We decided to hold meetings on google meet every fifteen days according to everyone's convenience. In these meetings we would delegate work amongst each other, ask questions and doubts, plan ahead of how we would go about our investigation and also update the team on how much work was completed. However, quite rarely we did have times wherein some members of the team would miss deadlines or have other commitments but we would seek it out amongst ourselves and most importantly cooperate with one another which made us a stronger team.
Video Conferences: How did we prepare the video conferences? What did we learn from them? What went well/what could have gone better?
Prior to the conferences our team would hold meetings where we would discuss our research and investigation. We would also come up with questions that we could ask our peers and also surf on the internet for any important information to our main research question. We learnt a lot from our peers about how plastic recycling is being conducted in their region and how they faced completely different problems in terms of plastic waste. We also discussed cultural differences in our solutions found against plastic and how they suited our country. Even though there was a language barrier we exchanged ideas and it was in all a great experience.
Prior to the conferences our team would hold meetings where we would discuss our research and investigation. We would also come up with questions that we could ask our peers and also surf on the internet for any important information to our main research question. We learnt a lot from our peers about how plastic recycling is being conducted in their region and how they faced completely different problems in terms of plastic waste. We also discussed cultural differences in our solutions found against plastic and how they suited our country. Even though there was a language barrier we exchanged ideas and it was in all a great experience.
Comparison and Reflection:
Comparison:
In this part, we compared the conclusions of our group (as you have written in part two: research) with the conclusions of the intercultural peer group.
1. What have we learned about how plastic usage can be reduced and how we can recycle used plastic in the most effective way?
Ans: While plastic is durable, this also means plastic waste can be trapped in our environment for centuries, if not managed well. While plastics deteriorate into fragments easily through wear and tear, their polymer chains only break down into other smaller components at very high temperatures, such as during some chemical recycling processes. However, today only 15% of plastic waste is recycled.Ninety percent of the plastic items in our daily lives are used once and then chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids. Take note of how often you rely on these products and replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags to the store, silverware to the office, or a travel mug to Starbucks before it becomes a habit. As consumers, we can choose to buy products without packaging, carry our own water bottle, refuse straws and use our own reusable shopping bags - everyday acts that will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste you are responsible for. One method which we found to be most creative that is used in the Netherlands is that of depositing the bottles, that means you get some money if you turn in plastic waste.
Ans: While plastic is durable, this also means plastic waste can be trapped in our environment for centuries, if not managed well. While plastics deteriorate into fragments easily through wear and tear, their polymer chains only break down into other smaller components at very high temperatures, such as during some chemical recycling processes. However, today only 15% of plastic waste is recycled.Ninety percent of the plastic items in our daily lives are used once and then chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids. Take note of how often you rely on these products and replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags to the store, silverware to the office, or a travel mug to Starbucks before it becomes a habit. As consumers, we can choose to buy products without packaging, carry our own water bottle, refuse straws and use our own reusable shopping bags - everyday acts that will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste you are responsible for. One method which we found to be most creative that is used in the Netherlands is that of depositing the bottles, that means you get some money if you turn in plastic waste.
2. What are the similarities and differences between the countries?
Ans: In terms of plastic recycling, both the countries have a similar approach towards plastic that is to come up with a little more stricter laws for single use plastics, separating garbage so that new products can be found from the old plastic. Both countries know that they have to significantly work towards improving their infrastructure and facilities for recycling and come up with practical solutions for this issue. I feel the key difference is that in India we are still a developing country so most of the technology and sciences used are not as effective as that of netherland. Also the population is way more massive in India to counteract this issue.
Ans: In terms of plastic recycling, both the countries have a similar approach towards plastic that is to come up with a little more stricter laws for single use plastics, separating garbage so that new products can be found from the old plastic. Both countries know that they have to significantly work towards improving their infrastructure and facilities for recycling and come up with practical solutions for this issue. I feel the key difference is that in India we are still a developing country so most of the technology and sciences used are not as effective as that of netherland. Also the population is way more massive in India to counteract this issue.
3. What can you learn from your peers in terms of plastic recycling, and what can they learn from you?
Ans: Most of us use the same methods of recycling plastic and reducing its usage. However, throughout this project, my peers and I learned the different methods that we use such as reusing plastic bottles and some stick to stainless steel. Both of our groups had similar and cost effective methods to recycle plastic and hence we learnt the ways we can upgrade those methods and come to a similar conclusion.
Ans: Most of us use the same methods of recycling plastic and reducing its usage. However, throughout this project, my peers and I learned the different methods that we use such as reusing plastic bottles and some stick to stainless steel. Both of our groups had similar and cost effective methods to recycle plastic and hence we learnt the ways we can upgrade those methods and come to a similar conclusion.
Reflections:
Jason Luis
This entire programme was definitely an amazing platform enabling us to carry out research on one pressing issue that is plastic usage and how we can find various solutions partnering with our peers from the Netherlands with regards to recycling. For sure the most exciting part of this journey was the video conference where we got to interact with our peers, learn more about their culture and also how their country is dealing with plastic recycling. It was definitely fun working with my group as we not only collaborated for the research but we formed a good bond between us. This project in a way, made me reflect at a personal level on how I carry out recycling and use plastic at school and home. One thing that I would have done differently is meet my group and the students from Baken park physically rather than doing the entire project virtually. But all it was a great experience. Yajat Sharma
The project was a great experience for me and the whole group. It was fascinating when we first made the introductory video. The leader made sure that everyone sent the work on time and encouraged us. We corrected each other if there was any mistake or if the work was not on time. Each member of the group had its own work to do. Definitely I had a lot of fun and the exciting part is that we all were collaborating with students from the Netherlands. There was proper and equal work distributed among the group. We also had a meeting with the students from the Netherlands about the project. I got reflected by the topic of how I can manage waste at home or at school. I look forward to taking part again in the future and working with more focus. |
Reem Khan
It was a great experience working with my group and the dutch students. I became more aware about the different alternatives of plastic which are currently being developed and has made me more concerned about the usage and wastage of plastic. It was fun to work and research with my group and talk to my classmates and being able to interact with professional organisations about plastic recycling. It was also very fun being the editor for the website. This experience was very good! Ansh Pokharna
Interacting with the group went really well as it was easy and convenient. In the beginning I found it a bit difficult because it was our first time but our leader (Jason) encouraged us to work together and also introducing ourselves to the Netherlands students went easier than I expected. What I understood as well is the amount of plastic polluting the environment as well and will strive to make the world a better place to live in. what I would change is to make the information more concise and the vocabulary better, and also the workflow should be more productive, getting more work done in less time. Aanya Ojha
Eumind was an enriching project and gave me an immense boost to my knowledge. It also made me more aware of the environment and its problems and gave me the ability to make a difference to the environment for good. I enjoyed editing the introductory video. the program taught me great communication skills, researching techniques. Group 5 (our group ) members were very dedicated and active towards these projects that is why this was successful. It was nice listening to the European students' opinions. Overall it was a nice experience and taught me a lot of good things which will surely help me in the future. I am really looking forward to next year to participate. |