Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – these are not empty words! CZ

WINNER 2024
NON FORMAL

The students’ project “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Are Not Just Empty Words” aimed to address water restrictions in their community and raise awareness about resource waste. Their activities focused on educating themselves and others about local biodiversity, environmental protection, and waste reduction. The main project activities included:
Green Gold: Students researched local plants and animals, created a seed collection, and made two electronic brochures—one on local plants and one on legally protected birds.
Water, Spring of Life: They analyzed the quality of spring and tap water in the community and its impact on health.
Waste Reduction Rules: Students studied ways to reduce environmental degradation and created posters and stickers to raise awareness on water, electricity, and paper conservation. They also set up containers for selective waste collection at school.
Relaxation Area: Using recycled materials like tires, students created a relaxation space in the schoolyard.
Recycle/Return: They participated in a waste sorting information session and organized collection drives for recyclable materials.

Throughout the project, the students learned about local biodiversity (plants and animals), water quality, healthy food (local flour), recycling, teamwork, problem-solving, and digital skills. They also developed the ability to create informational brochures and posters and worked with community partners like the City Hall, the County Water Company, and the Museum of Natural Sciences.

The project directly impacted 134 students and 910 community members. The school now has a set of regulations for water and electricity conservation, waste sorting systems, and an outdoor relaxation area created with recycled materials. The students also developed better social skills, improved their teamwork, and became more involved in environmental protection. They learned to collaborate with local institutions, raise awareness, and take responsibility for their actions.

In the long term, the community benefits from increased awareness of resource conservation, improved school facilities, and a stronger commitment to environmental sustainability. The electronic brochures created by the students are now used by teachers in the classroom, further spreading the knowledge.