KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 24

"I feel proud to have learned about waste management and becoming able to teach others how to do the same," said Aliya Shah, a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Shree Basic School in Bramhapur, Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

She shared that she had previously considered it was a waste of time to be involved in the 'Waste Smart Club at my school'.

However, after being a member of the club for 1.5 years, she has realised how important it is to manage and segregate waste to live in a healthy environment.

"Two years ago, the Waste Smart Club was set up at my school. I did not join it thinking there wasn't much to achieve, but now I am working as joint secretary of the club after realising the importance of the work being done there and the transformation we have brought to our school," she told THT.

Before, Aliya claims, her school had no proper concept of waste management. "We threw waste around carelessly. However, these days, we are well aware of the importance of cleanliness and waste management," she shared.

"We have started recycling waste and using it in creative ways. We have separated it into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, and I do it at home too," she said.

"I decided to make a bucket to hold pens after realising that I could use the plastic bottles for something. Using waste materials, I have also made a variety of ornamental items at home, such as bangle collage. Additionally, we turn the waste into compost manure."

"Furthermore, we run a variety of programs at our school, including quiz competitions. We also educate our junior and senior students about waste management by instructing and assisting them in distinguishing between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste," she added.

Similarly, 15-year-old seventh-grader Kalyan Sunar of the same school said he has been a part of the Waste Smart Clubs for two years now and has gained a lot of knowledge about waste management.

"With the help of our friends and teachers, we recently cleaned a temple in our community and held a program, and we have been able to teach our younger friends about it," he stated.

"We reused the plastics instead of throwing them away. Upon realising that a healthy environment equals healthy people, we have also planted trees in our schools and communities."

In the meantime, Sita Magar, 16, of Shree Chameli Devi Piya Secondary School-3 Bharatpur, shared that she has been a member of the Waste Smart Club for five years and currently serves as the secretary.

"Being involved in it has taught me a lot. Prior to joining it, I thought it was insignificant, but the work it does has greatly inspired me."

Talking to THT, she said, "We run a variety of programs every Friday after the end of first two periods. The younger children's capacity has been improved after getting involved in the programme. We have learned about the 'Environment Circular Economy' thanks to it."

She further said, "It has transformed my school and me in terms of waste management, so I want to be a part of it and work with it in the long run. Additionally, it is protecting the environment for our generation as well as the next."

Likewise, 16-year-old Subash Gharti Magar, a student in grade nine at the same school, expressed his pride in belonging to the Waste Smart Club and noted that he has been a member for five years.

"Our school and the Waste Smart Club constructed a vertical garden out of waste plastic and bamboo," he stated. "We also run a number of programs, like waste management debate competitions."

He also mentioned that they run waste management workshops and have students present on recycling and reusing waste materials like plastic and bottles.

"We used YouTube to educate ourselves at first, and then we taught our juniors by giving them prizes in competitions. In addition, the Waste Smart Club cleaned and collected waste in the community by working with the Red Cross Child Club of our school. We raised funds by selling the waste, which included iron and other materials, and using that money to organise additional programs," he said.