Replace school fees with plastic waste
A primary school in northeastern India has started accepting bags of plastic waste in payment for tuition. Once a week, each child is required to bring at least 25 plastic items.
Backyard burning is of particular health concern because it produces significant quantities of dioxins. Dioxins and "dioxin like" compounds are a group of 30 highly toxic chlorinated organic chemicals.
SourceBenefits
- Gives waste a value
- Encourages reduction in 'back-yard burning' of plastic which releases toxics
- Increases school attendance
- Teaches children about community and environmental action
Challenges
- Works in remote communities, but may encourage single-use plastic use in a different environment
Making a difference
School attendees have increased from 20 when it opened in 2016, to 100 in 2019