On 31st May, 2013, Friday, as a part of project Hataymalo: Plastic Minimization, Civilized urbanization, One day workshop on Plastic Minimization was held at Kavya School, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu.Students from grade 8 and 9 actively participated in the program. The program was organized by The Nature Conservancy Nepal (TNCN), Kathmandu University (KU), in association with UNEP, South Asian Youth Environmental Network (SAYEN), and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and supported by TUNZA Eco Generation.

The program started with the introduction of volunteers and organizing team followed by presentation about the plastics and its impact upon human health and environment. Students were amazed knowing that plastics are made of petroleum product and gases found in earth. The two way communication between the presenter and the students gave outstanding result in terms of learning and sharing knowledge. Moreover, students became clear about the effects of plastics on human health and how it affects our body like endocrine glands causing obesity, heart disease, male genital abnormalities, cancer, autism and what not!

On questioning the students, "How can we save our environment from poly bags?? amazing feedbacks as, minimization of plastics, using eco bags like jute bags, paper bags, cotton bags, were heard from the students. The enthusiastic mass showed more of their concern after knowing the 3R Principles, i.e., reduce, reuse and recycle. They learned how they can create awareness to save our environment from plastic bags as well. After knowledgeable presentation, a short infotainment video was shown. The animated video was about our environment, how human is rapidly polluting the earth and misusing the resources in name of sustainable development and exploiting other animals for their extravagant needs. Students respond to the video in positive way, some of them said our eco system is being hampered, some said its destruction of the earth, and we even heard someone from the mass saying that humans are being more and more self-centered!

During the open floor discussion session, one of the questions where everybody cheered for the answer was, "Why people are still using plastics knowing that plastics are harmful?" and the smile of the students were priceless after getting the most satisfying answer i.e. ?It?s cheap , easily available, and?..?

Meanwhile, everyone in the program overjoyed the news of polythene bags being banned by Government of Nepal from 15 June, 2013.

Afterwards students were divided into four different groups along with facilitators. The students were given 40 minutes of time to prepare their presentation in provided chart sheet which should portray their plan of action for minimization of plastics. Each group selected  their respective captains and two students, a girl and a boy for the assignment of presentation.

Each group presented their plan of actions perfectly. Young and talented minds of students splashed their ideas and concept into a piece of chart sheet. They gave realistic and practical references to make it more effective and committed to start from individual level. Among four groups, one performed a short drama to influence the audience and the next one prepared a poem regarding the topic, both were creative ways to express their concept on plastic minimization campaign. It shows how serious they were and attentive in the program. Nevertheless, the team work they showed during the process was worth appreciating. So the students who actively participated were felicitated from TUNZA Eco- Generation. Every participant was given a pencil from TUNZA Eco Generation over a note of using eco- friendly materials as far as possible. Also 10 most active students (2 from each group and 2 from overall participants) were given special gifts from Tunza Eco Generation.   

After accomplishing the !--object--ive of the program, i.e. to aware the children about minimization of plastic bags and promotion of green bags, the 10^th Eco Gen Ambassador (Nepal) of TUNZA Eco Generation Pratap Maharjan handed over token of love to Ms. Yasodha (faculty-EPH) and  positively concluded the three and a half hours program thanking the entire school management and students for the support throughout the program and certainly with an advise, " Plastic Bags, Just say NO ".The program ended after the group photo-session.

The overall program was more fruitful. The concern of the children and teachers towards the campaign made it more prosperous. Moreover, we saw the perspective change within the students throughout the program. The volunteers seemed glowing with the response they got from the huge family of Kavya School. If not more, we are sure that those students would be responsible citizens who care for the environment and reduce use of poly bags as we do.