Speech for Hon. Minister of Environment and Sustainable
Development
on Waste Segregation Project in Secondary Schools
Dr. the Hon. Vasant Kumar BUNWAREE, Minister of Education and
Human Resources
Hon. Thierry Henry, Private Parliamentary Secretary
Mr. Dhananjay Lallchand, Chairman Grand Port-Savanne District
Council
Mr. Shafick Nojib, CSR Manager Currimjee Foundation
Mr. Maheshwarnuth Luchoomun, Director PSSA,
Mrs. Santa Kumaree Mohit, Rector of France Boyer de la Giroday SSS
Representatives of recycling companies
Rectors, teaching and non teaching staff
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Dear Students,
I am privileged to address you this afternoon on the occasion of the
launching of the Waste Segregation Project in secondary schools. After the
implementation of this project in primary schools, we are now launching the
second stage which is meant for all secondary schools. To ensure the
successful implementation of this project, my Ministry has once again
secured the collaboration of several partners. I would like to extend my
thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Education and Human
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Resources, the Currimjee Foundation and the recycling companies for their
valuable contribution and support.
May I remind you that around three billion tons of solid wastes are being
presently produced every year in the world and this is deemed to increase
by 40% by the year 2020. The management and disposal of solid wastes
represent an economic and environmental challenge to many countries
especially small island developing states like ours.
The United Nations has declared the years 2005 to 2014 as the decade of
Education for Sustainable Development. As such, this project has involved
the integration of the principles of Sustainable Development into a
multitude of different learning situations. Through the Waste Segregation
project, my Ministry is also aiming at enhancing the knowledge of our
younger generation to adopt recycling practices so as to attain a more
sustainable lifestyle, and preserve our natural resources.
In Mauritius, we are producing more than 1200 tons of wastes which are
being landfilled at Mare Chicose compared to the 400 tons in the year
1997, and some are being disposed of in open air.
There are also a number of environmental concerns associated to solid
waste disposal and management. First, solid wastes cause severe
environmental damage if not disposed of properly, including odour
nuisance, risks of contamination of water courses, leachate production etc.
They may also cause blockage of drains and canals.
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However, if we consider the composition of the wastes we produce daily, it
is evident that many of the used items can be recycled into valuable
products, thus saving on raw materials and resources. Our domestic solid
wastes comprise mainly of 23% of paper, 8% of plastic and 51% of organic
materials. This shows clearly that a proper waste segregation strategy can
be the solution to our waste management concerns. In fact, the Waste
Segregation Project in schools is fully in line with Government’s vision of
Maurice Ile Durable since our youngsters are being groomed to promote
the concept of Sustainable Development.
The aim behind the waste segregation project in schools is to inculcate to
our youngsters the concept of sorting i.e. to select and separate wastes
into various components for recycling or composting. With time we hope to
change the mindset and prepare the way for a population who will have a
more environment friendly attitude and behaviour.
Ladies and Gentlemen
During the past decades, Mauritius has been undergoing a phase of
economic ‘boom’ and has consequently utilized resources at an
unprecedented rate. Our modern lifestyle has resulted in the generation of
more wastes but good environmental practices such as reuse, reduce and
recycling have not been fully encouraged in our everyday life.
To change this tendency and to promote recycling initiatives in the school
community, students will be called upon to segregate their wastes in 3
different categories namely plastic bottles, paper, green wastes and other
wastes. For this purpose my Ministry is providing labeled plastic bins,
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compost bins, and polybags for the collection of different types of waste.
Depending on the school population, colleges will receive 2 to 4 plastic
bins, 2 to 4 polybags and at least 2 compost bins for wastes segregation.
Students will be sensitized on waste segregation and recycling with the
help of resource materials such as posters and flyers which have been
distributed to all schools. I would like here to highlight the pivotal role of
recycling companies who have agreed to collaborate to the project by
collecting the paper and plastic wastes.
Ladies and gentlemen and dear students,
I am aware that the “France Boyer de la Giroday State Secondary School”
is a living example of the dedication and commitment of the students and
staff of this institution to successfully implement environmental projects. I
know for example, that this school has already started collecting papers,
that were sent to AgriPac Ltd for recycling and that a composting project
had been initiated since 2007. The compost obtained from wastes is being
used in the school yard.
I have been informed that all this good work has been realized by a very
proactive team of teachers and students under the School Environment
Club. I am also aware that numerous activities were organized to mark the
World Environment Day 2011, such as tree planting, cleaning and wall
painting activities. This is proof that the younger generation is very
motivated and that our young can become true agents of environmental
protection when they are offered the opportunity to do so.
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Ladies and Gentlemen and dear students
Rest assured that my Ministry will provide full support to encourage such
initiative. The Waste Segregation Project will be an opportunity to further
encourage such laudable initiative and provide the necessary structure to
sustain this enthusiasm.
I am sure that the example of France Boyer de la Giroday SSS will soon be
followed by other secondary schools. I would therefore like to make a
special appeal to the other rectors present to-day to give their support in
the implementation and the smooth running of this project. You will have
the responsibility to guide our students on how to implement but also to
monitor this project.
Dear Students
The last word goes to you. I am pretty sure that you will do your utmost to
continue the work that has already started.
I wish you all, good luck, and plenty of success in your studies, especially
in the forthcoming examinations.
I thank you for your attention.
D.V.
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