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TERI and Tetra Pak: In SEARCH of raising awareness on recycling
The two companies have jointly launched a programme to educate school children on recycling initiatives
Knowing full well that the best way to get a household's attention is through the children, TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) and Tetra Pak have together launched a drive to educate school children on the need for recycling and instill it as a habit.
The project, named SEARCH, stands for Sensitisation, Education and Awareness on Recycling for Cleaner Habitat. The agenda is to involve school children, and through them, entire households, in recycling initiatives.
Ranjana Saikia, associate director, TERI, speaks to afaqs! on the partnership with Tetra Pak, "Tetra Pak has been doing a lot in the recycling field and is the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company. With Tetra Pak, we will be educating students about problems related to waste and the virtues of reusing, reducing and recycling. Together, we hope to make a success of it."
The joint objectives marked out by the two organisations are: to raise awareness amongst school students on the environment in general and recycling in specific, thus indirectly help in mitigating climate change; to instill among children good waste management practices; to educate students on the benefits of carton packaging that keeps the food safe and nutritious and which can be recycled easily.
Tetra Pak has also set up collection centres in schools for recycling used Tetra Pak cartons.
Jaideep Gokhale, programme head, Food for Development and Environment, Tetra Pak India, says in an official communiqué, "Tetra Pak prides itself on being an environment-conscious organization. Over the past few years, it has taken the lead in creating environment awareness among people. We want people to follow some good waste management practices. The engagement of students in environment conservation initiatives at an early age is necessary. It is important that they imbibe sustainable practices early on and are able to influence others to follow as well."
As for tapping school children first, Saikia says, "Getting children on the project will help in spreading the message further, considering the seriousness and determination with which children participate in such initiatives."