Waste sorting has become a prevailing trend among the youth, according to the students of Turya-Remetivskyi Secondary School. These youngsters not only recognize environmental awareness as a responsible act but also consider it a trendy and forward-thinking endeavor. Despite this enthusiasm, not everyone is well-versed in the nuances of waste sorting, prompting the teachers to organize a captivating workshop on the subject for these students.
The 5-B class teacher took the lead by presenting his significant knowledge in waste sorting, a practice he has diligently implemented at home while also imparting wisdom to others. Orysia Krechko, a teacher of biology and ecology, oversaw the hands-on component of the workshop. She brought an assortment of trash items into the classroom, scattered them in the middle, and observed the students’ reactions. The purpose was to assess their degree of comfort in the presence of a mound of waste and see if they were motivated to dispose of it quickly. The students actively engaged, offering their opinions on strategies to minimize waste. Some students pointed out that, even after spending a month in the trash can, the garbage didn’t emit an unpleasant odor. Orysia Krechko clarified that proper preparation, including washing and immediate drying, transforms waste into something quite different from the foul-smelling refuse typically found in trash cans. This approach prevents the proliferation of bacteria, eliminating any unpleasant odor. The students discovered a significant portion comprised plastic waste and they deliberately singled out lids with the plastic number “2” for volunteers raising funds for drones. They deliberately singled out lids with the plastic number “2” for volunteers raising funds for drones.
The children spoke about what sorts of food would draw birds throughout the winter months before they built the bird feeders. Sparrows prefer unroasted sunflower seeds, while Eurasian siskins prefer bread crumbs, jays prefer white pumpkin seeds, hawfinches like rowan and viburnum fruits, goldfinches prefer unsalted peeled nuts, and great tits prefer unsalted lard. The teacher emphasized the importance of students bringing food to fill the bird feeders they would construct in class and install in their yards. As the class drew to a conclusion, each student shared their thoughts on the importance of environmental responsibility and caring for the planet, highlighting the importance of working together to create a more sustainable future.
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF