Plastic not so fantastic
Schools
‘Ditch single-use plastics’ was the message from Gleeson College students who participated in a series of events to celebrate National Science Week.
In keeping with this year’s theme ‘Deep blue: innovation for the future and our oceans’, a group of environmentally-minded students gave up their lunch breaks to create a science-inspired art piece titled, ‘Save our ocean, ditch single use plastics’.
The inspiration behind the collage was to highlight the impact single-use plastics discarded after recess time has on the marine environment. With more than eight million tonnes of plastic dumped into the oceans every year, students were reminded that everyone has a part to play, starting in the school yard.
‘A Prayer for Our Earth’ reinforced this message and was featured during a student-led Damiani House group initiative.
Gleeson’s Science Learning Area leader Jason Puttnins said the messages from Science Week reinforced Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, in which he calls for everyone to care for creation and the poorest.
“It’s wonderful to see Gleeson College students act in service to the environment, and to act on Pope Francis’s call for greater care of the Earth and of each other, with one heart,” he said.
South Australia has become the first state in the country to ban single-use plastics. The Marshall Goverment’s bill banning the sale, supply and distribution of products such as plastic straws, cutlery and beverage stirrers was passed by Parliament on September 9.
However, in light of ongoing impacts on the hospitality industry from the coronavirus pandemic, the commencement of the legislation won’t occur until early 2021.
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