EWWR Project 2021 –Circular ...
Our year 6 students undertook this project so as to raise awareness of the harm disposable masks are doing on the environment, and as a result, convince people to dispose of them wisely, or better still, use re-usable ones.
The students first did some online research about different types of masks (how they are manufactured, materials used, etc) and discussed how these could impact on the environment after watching some related video clips. As they walked outside, they realised how many people were discarding their masks irresponsibly. As a result, they were led more forcefully to take action.
So the first action they took was to prepare DPFM bins (Disposable Protective Face Masks Bins), which they distributed in various pharmacies, (targeting them, since most masks are purchased from them) asking them to place them in strategic places so that people would use them. One was also placed near the school exit, and cleaners were asked to empty the bin only into the bin for recyclables. Teachers and students were asked to remove the elastic around the ears before placing their mask in the bin.
They then recorded messages they themselves wrote, uploaded them on the school facebook page, tagged the local councils asking them to start addressing this problem by installing bins for disposable masks around their villages.
Since the school is situated in Victoria, they invited the local Mayor to visit the school and spoke to him face to face, also donating one of the DPFM bins they had prepared for his office (he kindly sent us a photo on his return to the office, to show them that he had followed their instructions faithfully!). They also spoke about this project on the following day when the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries visited the school, since they had not managed to contact the Minister of Education.
One of our educators also dedicated time to show the students how to sew re-usable masks and each one had a go – a successful one at that – and the end product was something to be proud of.
Since all our actions are uploaded on Social Media, a very large section of the Gozitan population and beyond are reached. Besides through the local councils, and through word of mouth from student to parents and relatives, word is surely spreading how important it is for us to discard disposable masks in a responsible way so as not to harm our environment further.
