Under the Strengthening Women and Youth Engagement in Informal Waste Management in Sri Lanka (SWYFT) project, four school-based awareness programmes on responsible waste management were successfully conducted on 06 February 2026, reaching a total of 1,130 students across schools in the Nuwaraeliya District and Kurunegala District.
The awareness sessions were jointly conducted by Janathakshan Field Officers in collaboration with officers from Neptune Recyclers, with the objective of promoting environmentally responsible behaviour among school children and encouraging sustainable waste management practices from an early age.
Two awareness programmes were conducted at Kengalle Maha Vidyalaya, Kengalla, with the participation of 650 students. In addition, two programmes were carried out at Nabiriththa Maha Vidyalaya, Hiripitiya, and Kanawa Primary School, Ibbagamuwa engaging a total of 480 students.
During the sessions, students were introduced to the fundamentals of responsible waste management, with a strong focus on the 3R principles—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The programmes highlighted the environmental and health impacts of improper waste disposal, particularly the challenges posed by plastic waste and its effects on ecosystems and waterways.
Special attention was given to waste segregation and recycling practices, providing students with practical guidance on separating waste at school and household levels. The involvement of Neptune Recyclers enabled students to gain a better understanding of recycling processes and the role of the private sector in supporting circular economy initiatives.
The interactive nature of the awareness programmes encouraged active student participation through discussions, questions, and experience sharing. Students were motivated to apply what they learned in their daily lives and to act as positive change agents within their families and communities.
These school-based awareness activities form part of SWYFT’s broader commitment to community and youth engagement, aimed at fostering long-term behavioural change and strengthening inclusive and sustainable waste management practices across Sri Lanka. Janathakshan, together with private sector partners, will continue to implement similar initiatives to build a more environmentally conscious and responsible future generation.
