In line with the global celebration of World Environment Day 2025 under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” Janathakshan GTE Ltd., under the PHINLA II Project, conducted a Waste Management Awareness Program at Christ King College, Ja-Ela, on June 5, 2025. The project is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and World Vision Germany, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen decentralized waste management systems and promote environmental stewardship in Sri Lanka.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 150 students, ranging from Grade 7 to Grade 13, along with their teachers, the school principal, and officers from the Ja-Ela Police Station. This collaborative engagement between educational institutions, law enforcement, and development organizations created a vibrant platform to raise awareness about the critical need for responsible waste management.
The awareness session, conducted by Janathakshan’s field officers, covered a range of topics designed to educate and inspire young minds, including:
The importance of waste segregation
The impact of plastic pollution on the environment and public health
Practical steps to implement the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The concept of resource bank
The program also introduced students to the goals and approach of the PHINLA II Project, particularly highlighting its work with informal waste workers and its mission to integrate sustainable waste management into community development.
As part of the interactive session, students actively engaged in discussions, asked insightful questions, and pledged to be responsible stewards of their environment. Police officers present at the event reinforced the importance of civic responsibility and the role of youth in maintaining clean, safe public spaces.
This awareness program was not just an educational session; it was a call to action for students to become environmental ambassadors in their schools, homes, and communities.
