World Environment Day - Competition Beat plastic pollution! If you can’t reuse it, refuse it!

Belgrade, 5-June-2018 - On the occasion of the World Environment Day commemoration, thematic competition Beat plastic pollution! If you can’t reuse it, refuse it! was organized by UN Environment and partners: Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development and regional environmental network Forestry and Environmental Action – fea. Competition among elementary school classes across Serbia in plastic waste collection and use for building a demonstration piece of art - plastic vessel was organized with the aim to raise awareness among elementary school pupils, age of 8-10 years old (III and IV grade) on plastic pollution and its negative impacts on environment and human health, as well as possibilities for reuse and recycling of plastics, and the proper disposal of plastic waste material. During the contest which was organized from April 13 to May 14, 2018 twelve elementary schools from different parts of Serbia applied and sent the photo documentation of 25 plastic sculptures. In evaluation process the expert jury took into account the idea of making demonstration piece of art, the amount of plastic and other packaging waste material used for the construction of the vessels and the appearance of the final works.

The best vessels were sent by the following schools:

1st place – piece "Zutoplovac", elementary school "Sveti Georgije", Uzdin

2nd place – piece "Eko brodic - Drugarstvo", elementary school "Rade Dodic", Milutovac, separated department in Poljna

3rd place – piece "Brod prijateljstva", elementary school "Petefi brigada", Kula

The winners were awarded with prizes and diplomas at the XIV Regional Conference "Environment to Europe - EnE18", which was traditionally organized on 5 June by the association "Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development" and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the support of the UN Environment. During the Conference winner vessel and photo exhibition were organized and promoted.

The winning team of the 2nd grade of the elementary school "Sveti Georgije" from Uzdin is awarded with a one-day excursion to the "Carska bara" Special Nature Reserve and workshop on the origin of plastics and interactive session where different examples of using plastic waste material for alternative purpose are shown. All participants have a chance to make their own useful secondary product. The consolation awards - educational game "Recycling" were given to the teams that won the second and third places in a the competition.