The students of class 4 noticed a problem with garbage accumulation in their community. [1] They came up with a plan to refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle garbage through various methods like making paper bags from old newspapers to substitute for plastic bags. [2] They taught vendors and other students how to make paper bags and spread awareness about reducing plastic usage. [3] Their goal was to have a long-term positive impact on reducing waste.

1. Gold or poison in garbage
Step 1- Feel
The students of class 4 have participated in the
world’s largest Design for Change School
Challenge for the third consecutive year. We
celebrated it from 10th -15th September.
We walked around the school/ community
and located problems that caused concern.
We listed problems that we observed and had
discussions as to priority, need and damage
caused.

2. We were disturbed by the dumping, accumulation and
unnecessary collection of garbage in our homes,
community and city. After brainstorming and
discussing all the
ideas with our teachers, we felt we had to address this
issue on various levels.
Once we shared all our concerns, we voted and the
idea that was
selected was to evolve a
system where we would be
able to refuse ,reduce,
reuse and recycle
the various elements
of garbage.

3. Step 2 - Imagine
We looked at ways to
deal with the various
elements of garbage.
We chose a project
that would have a ripple
effect after the concentrated efforts of one
week. We wanted to ensure that it had an
impact on a large number of people and that
it would be simple enough to be carried on.

4. Step 3 - Do
We announced in all the std 4 classes that all the
students should make newspaper bags. We only needed
old newspapers.

5. All the students taught each other to make paper
bags and when many bags were ready, we went
to the Mira Mar beach which is across our school
and distributed them to all the vendors. They
happily accepted them and started using them
substituting them for the plastic bags and plates
they earlier used. We
told them that we could
supply more of these
and teach them to make
their own. We also
requested them
not to use plastic
bags any more.

6. We spread this awareness
to the tourists as well.
Within the school campus
students, teachers and
parents are requested and
reminded to use paper
and cloth bags.

7. We, also went
around to
various classes
in the school to
teach the
students to
make paper
bags.

8. They even taught children to use
newspapers to gift wrap.

9. Hence we refused
usage of plastic
,reduced plastic waste
by substituting with
paper, reused old
newspaper and recycled
used ones by
incorporating them in
our project work and
vermicomposting

10. Vermicomposting is
another means we use in our
school to deal with the
biodegradable waste and we
now have an increasing
number of earthworms helping
us with the same.

11. Actions
speak
louder than
words.
Refuse & Reduce
usage of toxic
materials, Reuse old
materials and Recycle
what you need to use.

12. Actions speak louder than words. So recycle
today.
Please join us in our small
endeavour to change
the future.
Say No To Plastic.
Let us Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
the various elements of garbage.

13. Step 4 - Share
We have shared this story
with our friends in our
locality and have asked
them also to make paper
bags.
We wish to see a long term impact.

14. TURN YOUR
GARBAGE INTO Ours is an ongoing
GOLD process to care for
our Earth. You will
definitely discover
your Pot of Gold
at the end of the
Garbage. Don’t
wait for rainbows –
Create your own