URGENCY OF COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OF THE POPULATION AND INTRODUCTION OF THE SYSTEM OF SORTING OF SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

URGENCY OF COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OF THE POPULATION AND INTRODUCTION OF THE SYSTEM OF SORTING OF SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Environmental policy priorities are an integral part of the formation of a national environmental culture on the way to sustainable development and fulfillment of Ukraine's commitments in the field of environmental protection, environmental security and sustainable development.

Significant amounts of waste accumulated in Ukraine and the lack of effective measures to prevent their generation, the lack of systematic information, education and training programs among the population exacerbate the environmental crisis and become a deterrent. 

Every year, humanity generates more than 2 billion tons of garbage. In turn, each Ukrainian produces about 300 kilograms of garbage per year, of which 40% can be sent for recycling. According to estimates, in Ukraine more than 17 thousand secondary schools, almost 4 million students and 500 thousand teachers - this is 10% of the total population, the activation of which is sufficient to implement environmental, economic changes and significant savings in global resources.

LET'S START NOW, OTHERWISE BY 2050 THERE WILL BE MORE PLASTIC THAN FISH IN THE WORLD OCEAN 

As part of the study of the situation and its solution during the last four years of the pilot educational project "School Recycling" which operates in 80 schools in three regions of Ukraine, based on the city of regional importance, city and village. A total of 960 containers for daily sorting and accumulation of secondary raw materials have been installed. More than 22,000 students and their families took part; 165 tons of secondary raw materials were sent for processing. The participants spend the received financial resources from the sale of the collected secondary raw materials for the needs of their schools. 

As the best result of systematic realization and interaction of the public, the power, business, and educators - the project in the city of Nikolaev where during all calendar year all establishments of general secondary education sort secondary raw materials and hand over for processing; the city system of ecological education, encouraging actions, communication, special educational programs is adjusted, regular logistics of the collected secondary raw materials is provided. 

Photo April 2019: Yulia Markhel, Anna Ganzhul, Ksenia Renchkovska, Natalia Fesyun, 800 Eco patrols from 70 secondary schools in Mykolayiv 

Over the years, we have developed a universal concept of the Program, which qualitatively contributes to the effective development and implementation of the priorities of the "New Ukrainian School" and "National Waste Management Strategy" in schools, provides conditions for improving living standards by implementing a systematic approach to waste management and environmental responsibilities of local communities. 

Together on the way to "Zero Waste" we propose to immerse ourselves in the world of "School Recycling World" as a basic integrated approach to environmental education and joint implementation. 

Project activities of the International youth movement "School Recycling World" are aimed at developing environmental culture, social responsibility, introduction of a system of integrated sorting of secondary raw materials and proper waste management and their logistics in educational institutions and the development of corporate social responsibility. 

“Implementation of a systematic approach to waste management in educational institutions at the international, state and regional levels will reduce waste generation by increasing its recycling and reuse, taking into account the European approach and sustainable development goals, positively affect the population, ensure quality environmental culture citizens and the education of a conscious, environmentally responsible generation of Ukrainians and will be an example to follow in the world community ", - Julia Marchel, founder and president «International youth movement "School Recycling World".