“Kazchrome” Offered School Children to Exchange Plastic Bags for Eco-bags

25 K bags were given for recycling by Aktobe schoolchildren in the course of ecological action "Pocket ket" (No plastic bags). In exchange, its organizers and city eco-activists gave fashionable fabric eco-bags sewn by craftswomen of Aktobe. The event was held on the eve of the World Environment Day.

Pupils of suburban schools took part in an unusual project. The children were offered to exchange 50 plastic bags, which are accumulated in great amount in every family, for a stylish eco-shopper. The bag is intended to be an environmentally friendly alternative for going to the shop or for carrying school supplies.

— We decided to choose children to participate in the city's 'Pocket-ket' campaign for a reason," said Zhalgas Musabekov, Director of the Aktyubinsk Ferroalloys Plant and a member of the city Maslikhat. We hope that inspired children will be able to spread the knowledge and ideas they've gained, and maybe even pass on these eco-savvy habits to their whole family. Kazchrome and our plant are implementing many projects aimed at reducing the impact on the environment, in terms of modernizing equipment and developing new technologies. But we pay the same attention to organizing and financing projects aimed at the education of the younger generation.

Schools on the outskirts of the city, where unauthorised dumping is common, were also not a coincidence. Last year, for example, more than 700 areas where people had illegally dumped their rubbish were discovered in the region.

— We notice the disastrous environmental situation in spring, when we go out to participate in spring clean-up days," remarked Svetlana Ungarbayeva, Principal of the Sazda Secondary School, "There is a sand pit near the village, which is covered with bags. When the wind picks up, the bags get scattered and make the results of the Clean-Up Day come to naught. The bags are a good alternative to the bags that accumulate in the houses in great numbers. In addition, this shopper is very handy and stylish, our girls will appreciate it. You can put both food and textbooks in it.

It is worth noting that the bag giveaway and exchange is not the only action in the 'Pocket-ket' campaign. It was preceded by an online training course.

— This action is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, in terms of quality education, sustainable cities and towns, responsible consumption and production, all of this and much more we talked to children in the online e-learning course, because it was important to convey the essence of the action and to expand the angle of view of students on the replacement of disposable bags with a reusable alternative", comments Eco-consultant Ayman Seksenova. - I am glad that children who have not yet formed certain paradigms of thinking have been chosen to implement the project, which means that it is easy to set a trajectory for a more eco-friendly way of life.

The bags are fully eco-friendly and "made in Aktobe". 500 bags were sewed for the "Pocket-ket" campaign by Aktobe craftswomen representing mothers with many children and single mothers, who work in one of the "social" ateliers in the city. The large order from Kazchrome was a good help for the seamstresses.

It is worth noting that a continuation of the campaign was the collection of plastic bags among employees of Kazchrome enterprises. The "Pocket-ket" was held in the cities where the company operates - Aktobe, Khromtau, Aksu, and Karaganda. In total on the eve of the World Environment Day Kazchrome will transfer about 40 thousand plastic bags to a specialized company for recycling.