Sharjah
I thought about writing this report after watching a movie called The Plastic Ocean. In the movie, the way marine species and birds experience death after consuming plastics from water bodies and land made me extremely sad. It is a misfortune that these species die due to the carelessness of humans.
After this, I decided to conduct a recycling campaign in my building, wherein I went from door to door, asking people to keep aside plastic bottles or any other recycling material. I then collected it and gave it to the respective authorities for recycling. I even urged them to make recycling their main motive.
I believe that people can only change the way they think if there is public awareness, both at school and in public sectors. I had taken a pledge at my school to urge my peers, teachers and other school staff to reduce the use of single-use plastic. I do find the change, as my friends have reduced using plastic bottles, straws or plastic bags for their daily use.
People usually use plastic bags provided at stores and shops. We can only lead by example. I carry my own jute bags whenever I go shopping and try to avoid using plastic bags. As a community, we should have good knowledge of the harmful effects of plastic and start taking our own reusable bags with us when we go shopping.
Some fast food outlets have already started using paper bags for parcels, which is a good initiative. Others should follow suit.
— The reader is a pupil based in Sharjah.
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