Students Urged to Become ‘Recycling Superheroes’

The nation’s students are being urged to become “superheroes for recycling” within their school, community and across the country.

Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon, made the call while addressing a Global Recycling Day event at Aabuthnott Gallimore High School in Alexandria, St. Ann, on Tuesday (March 18).

Under the theme ‘Recycling Superheroes’ the event highlighted the critical role recycling plays in preserving Jamaica’s natural resources as well as reducing the environmental impact of waste.

“This is a habit that all of us should want to take up where we practise recycling as a way of life. Consider the amount of garbage trucks that the country has to buy each year or each period; consider the amount of land that we have to dedicate to landfills. We could use less trucks, have less acreage for disposal sites, and it would cost the taxpayers far less if we practise recycling,” Mr. Gordon contended.

He noted that recycling is not just about waste reduction but also about preventing environmental hazards.

Improper disposal of waste often leads to flooding in communities when discarded items block waterways, drains and culverts, he pointed out.

Mr. Gordon told students that by adopting recycling habits, they could help to mitigate this issue.

“So, we are proud, we are honoured to partner with all who come into the partnership for recycling, and we have found some excellent people here at Aabuthnott Gallimore High School from teachers to students to groundsmen,” he said.

“Everyone seems excited. The school even has a [recycling] song. So, they (the school) have identified the need for recycling,” he noted.

Mr. Gordon is encouraging all Jamaicans, including those who may feel passive about the issue, to take responsibility for their role in creating a sustainable future.

Operations Director at NSWMA, Aretha McFarlane, underscored the need to start recycling campaigns with students.

She said they represent the future and will carry forward responsible waste management practices if instilled at a young age.

“We teach the children the right thing to take care of the environment,” she noted.

Student, Theodore Murdock, told JIS News that he had learned a lot about the environmental impact of improper waste disposal and vows to do more to ensure that his actions contribute positively to the environment.

Fellow student, Simara Edwards, noted that she already incorporates recycling into her daily life by using plastic bottles for craft projects and school assignments.

She said she was further inspired by the creative ideas showcased at the event and vowed to continue finding innovative ways to reuse materials.

“What I learned today is how to reduce, reuse and recycle,” Simara said.

The event featured various interactive activities, including a cardboard art creation session, a plastic bottle creation workshop by the St. Ann 4-H Club, recycling displays, and giveaways.