Over 50,000 students from 100 schools in Malta and Gozo are to take part in a WasteServ project that will involve waste separation at their schools.
Each school will be provided with containers in which the students can dispose of paper, plastic, glass and metal. The students will also be given information about waste management and the benefits of recycling.
Environment Minister George Pullicino, who launched the project during a Clean up the World activity at Maria Bambina Primary School in Mellieha, said the waste separation initiative originally started in November 2002 as a pilot project involving 25 schools.
But following the enthusiasm shown and level of participation of students it was decided to extend the project to other schools, so that it will now involve students from state, Church and independent schools.
WasteServ's environmental educator, Alexandra Mifsud, said WasteServ considered the involvement of schools as a means to educate students and their families about their responsibilities on issues related to the environment. The hands-on approach would also enable students to develop attitudes and the kind of behaviour that respected the quality of human life and the environment, she said.
The project would enable students to take responsibility for their decisions by becoming aware that the waste they generate has an effect on future generations. It would also help students understand and distinguish between waste that could damage the environment and waste that could be recycled.
WasteServ will also be updating its website to assist teachers to download information about waste management.
As part of the Clean Up the World campaign, WasteServ is on Saturday organising an event for Xummiemu Club members at St James Cavalier in Valletta.
During this event members will be able to meet the environmental mascot and watch artist Joseph Barbara create works of art from plastic bottles. There will also be educational games that will help inform children how they can reduce and separate waste.
www.wasteservmalta.com