Nestlé Lanka launches second phase of School Waste Management Program

Saturday, 3 June 2023 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nestlé Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Central Environmental Authority, launched an All-Island Schools Poster Art Competition as the second phase of its School Waste Management Program.

Named (Doing good for the planet - an artistic representation), this competition aims to create awareness at a young age and reinforce the importance of responsible waste disposal among school children. Planned to be conducted in three rounds, i.e., zonal, provincial, and all-island, the final round would be held in June this year, targeting World Environment Day.

Initiated in 2020 to inspire a positive behavioural change in the future generation of Sri Lanka, the School Waste Management Program took steps to donate waste management units to schools whilst creating awareness on responsible disposal. Accelerated last year as part of Nestlé Lanka’s efforts to help achieve a waste-free future, the program reached approximately 350,000 children in over 200 schools across the country in 2022.

“Mismanaged waste is a concern that needs urgent attention and creating a better future for our children requires the close collaboration of everyone, across all sectors and industries. The School Waste Management Program is an ideal platform, as it creates awareness on responsible waste disposal among the future generation of the country,’’ said Central Environmental Authority Senior Environmental Officer Sujeeva Perera

Education Ministry Aesthetic Branch Assistant Director Ruvini Jayalath said: “Whilst art competitions help children explore their creativity and develop aesthetic skills, they are also an impactful tool for reinforcing good habits such as responsible waste management, whilst inspiring a positive behavioural change in children.”

Maharagama Central College Principal N. D. C. Jayangani said: “It is vital to teach good habits at an early stage to have a significant impact. I’m grateful for Nestlé Lanka and the authorities for conducting this worthy program, reaching thousands of school children around the country. This art competition will no doubt be a great platform for our children to showcase their artistic skills as well.”

Committed to doing good for the planet, Nestlé Lanka continues its efforts to tackle plastic waste pollution in Sri Lanka, with an ambition of ensuring none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfill or water bodies. Towards this end, the company follows a holistic approach of reducing, reusing, redesigning, and recycling its packaging, complemented by rethinking behaviours. This includes reducing single use plastics such as straws, moving to recyclable or reusable packaging for its products, helping create a circular economy for aseptic beverage cartons and working with government and private institutions to galvanise action and drive behavioural change for a greener and cleaner Sri Lanka.