The Eastern Regional Education Directorate, in partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, has initiated a Waste Segregation pilot program in nine selected Basic Schools in the New Juabeng South Municipality.
The primary goal of the project is to separate plastic waste from other types of waste generated in the schools for the purpose of recycling. This effort aims to reduce the accumulation of plastics in storm drains, rivers, and streams, which can cause environmental pollution.
According to Godfried Caesar, the Eastern Regional Schools Health, and Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinator, the key objective is to maintain clean school environments by segregating waste in different dust bins.
The plastic waste, such as water sachets and bottles, will be sold to recycling companies, and the money generated will be used to provide essential needs for the schools to support teaching and learning.
Caesar also highlighted that the project will help mitigate environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution. He emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal and called for support and collaboration from organizations to expand the project to all 52 schools in the Municipality and beyond after a successful pilot phase.
Faustina Shardey, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of Zoomlion Ghana, stated that the initiative aligns with the “Zero Waste” campaign currently ongoing in Accra.
As part of the program, Zoomlion Ghana has provided each of the nine schools with two dust bins, liners, and other accessories to facilitate the implementation of the waste segregation project.
The successful implementation of this pilot program could serve as a model for other regions in Ghana to adopt similar initiatives to promote sustainable waste management practices in schools.
