For two consecutive years, the Youth-Led Environment and Sustainability Program (Trash2Cash) had been implemented by World Vision Thailand, funded by Citi Foundation, aiming to equip youth with readiness and confidence for a better future. Through this initiative, 80 adolescents from 16 schools in Pong Nam Ron District, Chantaburi and Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo were challenged on the topic of climate change and the environment. They created, designed, and developed innovations to add value to waste through the upcycling process. The activities have been expanded and incorporated as part of the school curriculum in 27 other nearby schools.
To celebrate the creativity of the youth who had participated in the project and to inspire further innovation for sustainable development, World Vision Thailand organised a Youth-Led Environment and Sustainability Program closure and celebration event at the Learning Services and Community Relations Centre, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Chanthaburi. Mr Kanphaderm Aksorn, Senior Deputy District Chief of Makham District, Chantaburi Province, inaugurated the event, joined by the executives and teachers of the partner schools, representatives from different organisations in Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo, along with the private sector and civil society, including Mrs Rosalin Kowae, World Vision Thailand National Director, along with her executive team, staff and 89 youth participants.
“I am proud of the youth who initiated and led this environment project from the 16 schools. Thank you to all teachers and World Vision Thailand staff, as well as relevant organisations. I am confident that in both Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo provinces, all sectors will continue to collaborate and work together to foster and expand on the creative initiatives to benefit children and promote sustainable environmental practices in these areas.” said Mr Kanphaderm Aksorn, Senior Deputy District Chief of Makham District, Chantaburi Province, in his opening address.
The Youth-Led Environment and Sustainability Program was implemented through two activity streams: 1) designing environmental initiatives and capacity-building projects that lead to practical implementation and 2) developing innovative approaches to foster sustainable environments in schools and communities, which led to the ‘Trash2Cash’ products that aim to add value to waste through the upcycling process. These products are well-designed to ensure that they are beautiful and practical and can be produced efficiently and sold profitably.
- Coasters made by Hands and with Heart by Sor Thai Seree Industrial 3 School, Sa Kaeo
- Brooms made from plastic bottles by Ban Tha Kham School, Sa Kaeo
- Eco Tables & Chairs by Khlong Nam Sai Self Protection and Development Volunteer School, Sa Kaeo
- Key chains and flowers made from recycled waste by Ban Wang Yao School, Sa Kaeo
- Plant pots made from scrap paper by Buek Rim School, Sa Kaeo
- Waste-free School Following the Royal Initiative of Sufficiency Economy by Ban Nong Prue School, Sa Kaeo
- Eco Bags by Pong Nam Ron Wittayakom School, Chanthaburi
- PCS Bottle Caps by Nongtakhongpittayakarn School, Chanthaburi
- Save-the-earth Compost by Khruea Wai Wittayakom School, Chanthaburi
- Lamps made from plastic bottles by Ban Pong Nam Ron School, Chanthaburi
- Brooms made from recycled plastic bottles by Ban Pan Mo School, Chanthaburi
- Fuel from waste by Rat Pattana Samakkhi School, Chanthaburi
- Compost from leaves by Wat Phang Ngon School, Chanthaburi
- ‘BL Clean’, cleaning equipment made from plastic bottles by Ban Pa Wilai School, Chanthaburi
- Multi-purpose bags by Makham Sansern School, Chanthaburi
- Baskets made from school milk cartons by Ban Nong Salut School, Chanthaburi
Weeraparb, a 12th-grader joining the program, shared his experience and impressions of the activities: “We collected water bottles and bottle lids for further utilisation. We learned about the recycling and upcycling processes until we could produce beautiful bags. I am proud to take part in the waste management at school.”
Ice, or Phornphairin, a youth representative from Chanthaburi who led the project, talked about the background of the initiative: “Our school has a water plant which produces bottled water, leading to a lot of used plastic bottles. We, as youth leaders, were aware of the problem and initiated this project. We collected and sold plastic bottles. The income was spent on different school activities. We have also expanded the project and produced multi-purpose bags.”
The Trash2Cash project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to the environment under Goal 6 and Goal 12-15, while simultaneously promoting children’s rights in connection to the environment.
“The Trash2Cash project demonstrates World Vision Thailand’s commitment to promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically General Comment No 26 on children’s rights and the environment, with a particular focus on climate change. It states that children’s rights are interconnected with the environment and climate change and that children have the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. For us, as a development and humanitarian organisation focusing on improving the lives of vulnerable children, the Trash2Cash products created by these young people are a tangible demonstration of their engagement and inclusion. It is the voice of children, calling all of us to recognise that our youth are taking the initiative to transform waste into value, ensuring their rights to a healthy environment. Have we, as adults, taken action to change the world and protect children’s rights amid climate change?” said Mrs Rosalin Kowae, World Vision Thailand National Director.
