Some of the trash collected through the GreenBox initiative.
PHILIPSBURG–GreenBox, last year’s winner of Build Back Better SXM’s Do-Tank initiative, collected more than 13,412 pounds (lbs) of trash from six Catholic primary schools and one high school during the 2018-2019 school year.
Operating as a non-governmental organisation (NGO), GreenBox’s goal is to get children involved in and aware of the concept of recycling by promoting waste sorting and separation in the classroom.
The initiative, in partnership with recycling centre Meadowlands, was launched in March 2018 as a free-of-charge project. The project equipped 80 classrooms with three individual sorting bins for plastic, paper/cardboard and metal/glass. Once full, the bins were emptied into the school’s central recycling bin, which uses the same separation system. Every week, the recyclables were collected, sorted and weighed by Meadowlands. They were subsequently crushed and sent off-island for repurposing. This process is still ongoing, as volume is needed, according to a press release.
The year-long pilot project concluded at the end of the 2018-2019 schoolyear. “GreenBox thanks all participating schools, faculties and students for their dedication in making this project a success, regardless of the learning curve. Meadowlands’ contribution in picking up the recyclables free-of-charge is also highly appreciated, as the logistical cost factor in this project should not be underestimated. Hence, funding generation will be the primary focus in the upcoming year,” said GreenBox on Monday.
While this pilot project was able to save more than 13,000 pounds of waste going to the landfill, GreenBox implementers said there are some kinks in its operation that are being improved “for the years to come.” GreenBox said it will be teaming up with other NGOs and local green initiatives to pool resources and provide more effective education and awareness on recycling in schools.
GreenBox has announced that it has already collaborated with AllCaribbean to resume pick-ups at all Catholic schools soon.
Persons or organisations interested in volunteer work or in giving funds to the cause are asked to contact GreenBox by sending an e-mail to
greenboxsxm@gmail.com.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/91740-greenbox-collects-more-than-13-000-pounds-of-trash-from-catholic-schools
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