Description
Recycling in border villages in the Tavush region is currently extremely limited; as a result, plastic and other trash often goes uncollected and liters the communities. When it is collected, the waste is often put into landfills or it is burned.
Following the success of the first Recycling on the Border project, The Paros Foundation has partnered with the Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development of Communities NGO, or ‘ISSD’ to implement their second recycling initiative in ten border villages in the Tavush region. The proposed project involves going to several schools and providing specially marked recycling bins for paper and plastic. The children will then be educated on the benefits of recycling and why it is important. Schools will be given three months to collect the recycling, when it will then be picked up and transferred to the proper recycling facilities.
Some new components have also been introduced. In order to provide incentive first and second place prizes will be given out to the schools who have collected the most paper and the most plastic at the end of the competition. The schools participating will also need to choose 5-10 students to be student ambassadors (depending on the size of the school). The model for the student ambassadors is as follows:
- One student from each grade, starting from the 4th grade
- The rest of the ambassadors will be from the older grades (whomever wants to participate up to 10 total ambassadors)
- The student ambassadors’ role will be to represent their school in the recycling competition. They will make sure the other students are recycling properly, the bags are tidy and prepared correctly, etc.
In addition to the recycling competition, older students from all the schools are invited to participate in another competition where they must develop a business idea involving recycling. Students can choose to work alone or with a team to come up with new ideas involving recycling and creating a business. The ideas will be evaluated and the best one(s) will be given funding in the form of materials/equipment needed to start the business up to 1,000 USD. Every two weeks, students will meet with ISSD representatives to discuss both the general recycling competition and the business idea competition. Winners of this competition will be brought to Yerevan on an excursion to talk with other business people and develop their winning idea.
The Need
Recycling in border villages in the Tavush region is currently extremely limited; as a result, plastic and other trash often goes uncollected and liters these communities.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, a three month recycling contest will be launched to build excitement about the project in ten border schools in Tavush. The schoolchildren will learn about the benefits of recycling and start making it a regular practice in both their schools and households. A modest economic benefit will be realized through this project through the employment of a driver and trainers. In addition, students will have the opportunity and guidance to come up with their own recycling based businesses.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, communities will be more informed about modern waste and waste management, and, hopefully develop the practices as a normal part of their culture. The project will involve more than 1,800 children. Additionally, those that come up with winning business ideas will be given the opportunity to make those ideas a reality and greatly impact their future and the future of recycling in Armenia.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, and in relevant press related to this important project.
Updates: Images & Information
Today the contest winners were determined! The School in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur collected the most plastic per student and the School in the village of Aygepar collected the most paper per student. The school from Tavush won first place for their business idea involving recycling and will receive 1,000 USD to start their business. Both the schools from Aygehovit and Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur will also receive funding to start their business idea. Congratulations to all the schools that participated!
The second Recycling Contest launched today with nine schools in the Tavush Region. Schools will be collecting both paper and plastics and competing for a prize! The contest launch follows training and instruction on the value of recycling by the experts at the ISSD organization in Yerevan.
Our Donors (10)
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Mrs. Holly Kuykendall , In Honor of Tina Margosian Peters
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Ms. Elise Yacoubian
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Mr. & Dr. Varujan & Biana Goncuian
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Mr. & Mrs. Simon & Arsho Simitian
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Anonymous
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Mr. & Mrs. Dikran & Lynn Barsamian