LESS PLASTIC DAY - December 19

Plastic waste has become a pandemic—on land as well as in the world's oceans. What can just one person do about such a global problem? Take these simple steps, courtesy of World Ocean Observatory: 

1. Avoid buying items packaged in plastic. Look for produce and other items that aren’t over-packaged. Buy food in glass jars rather than plastic ones, and detergents in boxes rather than bottles.Not only are you reducing the plastic you use, you’re sending a powerful message to the makers of those products that you don’t like plastic packaging

Using cloth shopping bags is one simple way to lessen your use of plastics. Photo credit:

2. Use cloth shopping bags. Plastic bags are an eyesore and are dangerous to wildlife. Keep reusable bags somewhere handy—in your car or your bike or by the front door—so you don’t forget them when you go to the market, grocery store or mall.

3. Skip bottled water. Carry a reusable canteen. Plastic bottles are one of the top five most common types of litter found on beaches. Since bottled water is much more expensive than tap water, you’ll also save money doing this, and avoid the possible hazards of plastic toxins leaching into your beverage.

4. Upcycle. Think of new uses for old items rather than discarding them or buying new ones. 

5. Bring a reusable mug when you order coffee. Stow it on your desk, in your purse, car or bag so you have it on hand when you order or refill your drink.

6. Say "No straw, please." Straws are one of the top 10 items found on beaches. In most cases, drinking out of a straw is simply unnecessary. If you do need a straw, you can get a reusable stainless steel or glass one.

7. Wear clothing made from natural (not synthetic) materials. Wearing and washing clothes causes fibers to flake off, and polyester clothing is made of plastic.Tiny particles of microplastic found in oceans around the world have been traced to such synthetic fabrics.

8. Avoid disposable tableware, or use the compostable kind. Try using washable and reusable cups, plates or utensils. When using compostable tableware, be aware they will not biodegrade in a landfill and must be disposed of in appropriate composting conditions.

9. Don't just discard electronics. Aim to repair or upgrade your devices instead of buying new ones. Sell gadgets and computer parts, or find a facility where you can turn them in for recycling.

10. Bring your own container for takeout and leftovers. When ordering takeout or bringing home leftovers, ask if you can get the food in your own reusable container.

http://www.ecowatch.com/10-ways-to-use-less-plastic-every-day-1881820411.html

DEDICATED TO DEVELOPMENT

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachch Bharat campaign, an 11-year-old girl is digging into her piggy bank to build toilets for the underprivileged.

Maudrita Chatterjee, a class VI student of Hilltop School, TELCO, spent her entire piggy bank savings and pocket money to get two community toilets in Potka-block village, Kendadiha, of Chota Govindpur panchayat in Jamshedpur.

After listening to the PM's talk on Swachch Bharat in 2014, a highly motivated Chatterjee decided to do her bit by getting toilets built in her region. She started saving her pocket money and managed to collect Rs 24,000 in 12 months, with which two toilets were built in Potka block.

"I wanted to contribute to the appeal of PM Modi's swachata campaign. I am proud that I could become a part of this drive and could do something for my country. I just want that this should be seem as a campaign and increase consciousness of hygiene and cleanliness," she said.

Calling her a source of inspiration, the Chief minister of Jharkhand, Raghubir Das praised Chatterjee for her efforts. She also received the Sanitation Award of Eastern Singhbhumi Region.

Speaking on the occasion, Chatterjee said she would continue the efforts and ask others also to join the cleanliness drive.

A brother and sister from Madhya Pradesh have put together every penny they could, including their scholarship money and pocket money, to build a toilet for a girl’s school in Narsingpur district.

Sixteen-year-old Memoona Khan and her 14-year-old brother Aamir Khan are students of Class 10 and 9, respectively.  Over the past two years they have been saving the money they received as a scholarship for “minority community” students.

“The school had only one toilet. I’d feel bad seeing students standing in a queue outside the toilet,” Memoona, a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Narsingpur, told Times of India. “I talked about it with my younger brother Aamir. Since we were hesitant to discuss it with our parents, we first discussed it with a friend of my father’s, uncle Bablu Gupta. He appreciated our concern and told our father. Luckily, our father agreed.”

“Each of us gets Rs. 2000 scholarship annually.We’d saved two years of scholarship money in our accounts, as our father pays for our schooling expenses. Then, we had also saved from our pocket money – we contributed a total of Rs. 2,000. Thus, we had Rs. 10,000 in total. Seeing our enthusiasm, our father also pitched in with Rs 14,500 for the toilet,” said Memoona.

The siblings’ efforts have been appreciated by P K Lazarus, the Principal of the girls’ school: “Around 1600 students study in our school and we only had two toilets. With the new toilet, there is a great relief.”

Memoona has contributed towards causes earlier too. In 2011, she wrote to MP Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan, calling him “Mamaji” in her letter, and asked him to build a road to her school. The CM responded by saying, “Bhaanjion ki baat kaise taal sakta hoon?” Two years after writing the letter, the road was completed.

Memoona has also been made brand ambassador of Lado Abhiyan, an initiative to create awareness about the girl child.

The children’s father, Hussain Pathan, runs a tailoring shop in Narsingpur. “Kids are very much into social activities. Memoona had even participated in a protest against an illegal liquor shop,” he said.