It is High Time We Prepare Our Young Gen to Fight the Plastic Menace

Fighting the plastic menace is one of the behemoth problems lying ahead in front of the next generation. It has indeed become a crucial task for the future generation to clean up the mess that the previous generations have created. It is high time we make a move towards tackling plastic pollution and inspire the younger generation with solutions to minimize plastic usage. It is time we come together to empower our kids to fight the plastic menace. We need to teach our kids the hazards of plastic use and introduce them to the ways to reduce it so that they can create a better world for themselves and their forthcoming generations to breathe in.

Start the ‘Action’ at Home:

Every change starts from home. Hence, make sure that you teach your kids the hazards of plastics to human health and how it affects the entire ecosystem. Ask them to say ‘no’ to plastic bottles, plastic bags, coffee cups, and whatever they use as a single-use item, and don’t forget to practice the same for the entire family if you really want the results. While going out to stores, carry your own reusable cloth bags for storage. Teach them to carry their own water bottles whenever going out. It’s not only good in terms of hygiene and health but also helps to avoid purchasing of unnecessary plastic water bottles, which again add up to the plastic trash.

Recycle and Reuse:   

One of the best things you can do is to teach kids how to recycle and reuse plastic. Many of the plastic items we use can be reused in one way or the other. Ask children to try and find creative ways in which it can be reused. Most importantly, teach them to avoid putting the used plastic bags or any items into the litter. Let them keep it separate so that they can send it to the recycle center or ask the municipalities to do it. With the constant reminder of the macro-level problem that the plastic is creating, children can understand its impact on the environment and start contributing actively to stop the use of plastics.

Contribute to Solutions:

The fact is that all of us are a part of the plastic menace, and hence, we can also be a part of the solution. Adults or children, the rising plastic menace demands each and every one of us to actively participate in the efforts to bring a change. Children should be encouraged to come up with some creative solutions that can be implemented in their home, as well as the neighborhood to reduce plastics. Whatever the solution be, the end goal is to ideally become plastic-free or at least stop the usage of disposable plastic in the first place. Children must be taught to set an example for others by denying to accept plastic bags at stores and straws at restaurants. The need of the hour is to make the young generation aware of the perils of the existing plastic pollution so that they not only start the change but also willingly carry it forward.

We, at JP International School, a leading CBSE School in Greater Noida, always encourage our students to abstain from plastic usage, and consider recycling or replacing it with alternatives. We have made sure to keep reminding our pupils the fact that even the simplest of their acts can make a huge impact on reducing the plastic burden from Mother Earth. At JPIS, we teach our kids how they can help the ecosystem to sustain its balance by simply saying no to plastics and following the same as a family tradition at home.

We, at JPIS, believe that creating awareness in the community is equally necessary to reduce the current dependency on plastics. We hence prepare our children for the future world, teaching them the possible ways to minimize the use of plastic in their own life and the neighborhood so that the action creates a ripple effect amidst those around them.

- JP International School