Sarpang dzongkhag’s environment sector plans to implement the waste prevention and management ideas that were exhibited during the world environment day on June 5.

Four higher secondary schools from the dzongkhag, Losel Gyatsho Academy, Norbuling Central School (CS), Pelrithang Higher Secondary School, and Sarpang CS took part in the exhibition.

The ideas presented in the exhibition focused on the need to segregate and reduce waste from the source and recycle waste in school.

A participant said managing waste is an individual responsibility.

Losel Gyatsho Academy’s idea on reusing waste to develop classroom settings for pre-primary and class I bagged the first prize. The team used pet bottles and caps, plastic waste, and discarded boards in the school campus to make teaching aids and classroom furniture.

The team had used the waste produced within the campus to prepare learning aid that could be used to teach numbers and both dzongkha and english alphabets while making learning fun for the kids.

The dzongkhag environment officer, Chimi Dorji, said that the ideas were normally forgotten after the exhibition. “We will ensure it is implemented in respective schools and other institutions this time. We were looking for practical and doable ideas in youth.”

He said that the dzongkhag produced over three tonnes of waste per day in 2019. “The amount of waste collected and taken to landfill would be even higher today. We are sticking to the waste prevention part so that there is no need for management.”

Of the four different ideas presented on waste prevention and management, three focused on the need to separate the waste from the source and to set up an initiative that could help recycle wastes within the campus.

Kezang Jamtsho from Norbuling CS said that it was important to segregate waste from the source.

“We presented the concept of going pitless in school. For this to happen we need to prevent the waste from the source, which is a classroom. We will recognize the classroom producing the least waste in the month. This way students would be encouraged to not produ    sce waste,” he said.

The team from Sarpang CS highlighted that the best waste management method was in accepting the waste, citing the ban on the use of plastic as an example.

The waste segregating chain service model presented by the group focused on converting waste into useful purpose and exploring entrepreneurship to create employment.

The group proposed coming up with a reverse vending machine that would encourage users to properly dispose of the waste and an opportunity to be rewarded instantly for the act. The proposed waste management model also focused on value-adding the biodegradable waste.

The model is already being implemented in the school, according to the team.

The event was also held to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen in Sarpang on June 4.

By Nima | Gelephu 

Edited by Tashi Dema