The enthusiasm of students across T&T has made this year's Plastikeep Plasti-thon the biggest since its inception two years ago.
The Plasti-thon, which was launched on February 3 and ends today, saw 37 schools sign on to participate, the most since the launch of the Plastikeep initiative in 2012, which then included 10 schools. With a mixture of both primary and secondary schools in north Trinidad, this recycling competition proves an exciting challenge for the 16,000 students of these schools.
A release from the organisers said the Plasti-thon competition was designed to inspire children to make plastic recycling part of their everyday routine and way of life. The students collected plastic, not only from their own homes and schools, but also from their neighbourhoods, thus indirectly involving their community and spreading the word.
After collecting the used and cleaned plastic and placing them into bags supplied by Plastikeep, the bags were collected at the schools by Plastikeep trucks for recycling.
The organisers said the 2014 Plasti-thon has been highly competitive, as evidenced by frequent calls they received for more bags to be delivered as well as for the Plastikeep truck to collect all the plastic waste. The tally of bags collected at each school is collected by Plastikeep.
Prizes will be awarded to the individual students, classes and schools which have collected the most filled bags. Prizes are also given to the teachers and student representatives who support this competition in their respective schools.
The Plasti-thon has received financial support from the Neal & Massy Group, Republic Bank Ltd, American Stores, Murphy Clarke Financial Services, Horizons Framing Ltd and Nigel Khan.
Hampers have also been provided by Sagicor, Vemco, Stechers, Photographic Agencies Ltd, Mode Alive and Thomas and Sons Ltd. Class tours will also be provided by Nestle, Angostura, the Chaguaramas Development Authority and Asa Wright Nature Centre while the Blue Bell Ice Cream truck will be visiting some of the winning schools.
Although Plastikeep continues to receive interest from other corporate companies, they are still seeking financial support to help with the purchase of plant kits for approximately 1500 students that comprise the winning classes in each school. With these kits, the students can individually grow their own plants.
Prizes will be distributed at a formal awards ceremony for all the winning schools, classes and individual students.
For further information on Plastikeep Plasti-thon, visit the Plastikeep Facebook page or contact the event's project managers, Smith & Smith Productions Ltd at 621-0322/3.
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