Plastic Ban Pledge

Theme: Weather, Climate and Climate change education

Background

A school-based action to support the government's plastic ban. With the plastic ban reinforcement from 1st April 2019, schools across the country stand to support this green move. Although, most of the schools already have a waste management pledge and actions in place, this "No Plastic Initiative" will further instill the good values of more sustainable lifestyles in the schools.

Objectives

i.    Create awareness on climate change through plastic ban pledges
ii.   Instill the value of proper waste management
iii.  Encourage staff and students to minimize the use of plastic bottles by
      bringing their own reusable drinking cups

Target group: Whole school.

Program details:

1. Present scientific facts on effects of plastic pollution

Here we see that in 2010:

• global primary production of plastic was 270 million tonnes;
• global plastic waste was 275 million tonnes – it did exceed annual primary production through wastage of plastic from previous years.
• only plastic waste which is improperly managed (mismanaged) is at significant risk of leakage to the environment; in 2010 this amounted to 31.9 million tonnes;
• of this, 8 million tonnes – 3% of global annual plastics waste – entered the ocean.
• The amount of plastic in surface waters is not very well known: estimates range from 10,000s to 100,000s tonnes.

Source: 
plastic pollution from https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
the plastic initiative from https://theplasticinitiative.org
plastic pollution from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/02/here-s-how-much-plastic-enters-ocean-each-yearhttps://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/02/here-s-how-much-plastic-enters-ocean-each-year
global trends plastic pollution from http://www.plastic-resource-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Global-Plastic-Production-RisesRecycling-Lags.pdfhttp://www.plastic-resource-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Global-Plastic-Production-RisesRecycling-Lags.pdf


2. Advocate the national policy on plastic ban and local practices
3. Adoption of school-based plastic ban policy
4. Take individual pledges
5. Share on Social Media. Use hashtag #supportplasticbanBhutan

Expected Outcome:

1. School adopts plastic ban policy
2. Individual actions (action on individual pledge) for fighting climate change
3. Sensible and responsible plastic users
4. Climate action Advocators

Clean Toilet Challenge

Theme: Responsible Citizenship

ASPnet School Name: Zhemgang Central School

Background
One of the biggest challenges in Bhutan are the toilets in schools and public. If we think back to our school days, I think we can all remember a time when we were afraid to visit our own toilet, and nearby toilets. School toilets can be extremely daunting particularly for young children if the toilet is dirty, and unfriendly. According to some unofficial records children have frequently reported smelly, dirty or unpleasant toilets in their home, schools, and public places. Therefore, with this activity in place, we create toilets children want to use it.

Objectives:

1. understand and realize the importance of hygiene and its impact on daily life
2. actively consult and involve the pupils in managing the toilets
3. implement and maintain an effective toilet cleaning, supervision and inspection system to ensure proper standards throughout the school day

Program details:

Target group: Whole school action

Timeline: February to mid-march 

1. Sensitization on clean toilet
2. Create a clean toilet movement in the school
3. Use hashtag #mytoiletmyresponsibility
4. Upload on Social Media platforms

Note: 
Recommend to use Harpic and Phenol to clean toilet pots. 

Process: 
1. Wet or pour water lightly around the toilet pot
2. Then spread, or sprinkle Harpic in the necessary areas 
3. Keep untouched for around 15-20 minutes
4. Start to scrub with the help of brush
5. Flush with water

Outcome:
1. Understand the importance of toilet
2. Relate clean toilet and sanitation
3. Reduce the usage of sticks, papers
4. Promote healthy toilet habits