Garden of Hope - Saving Lives from Plastic

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At Lin Yuan Elementary School in Kaohsiung, students took action to address the environmental crisis posed by plastic waste, particularly its impact on the ocean. Nestled in an area dominated by the petrochemical industry, the community faces significant challenges related to plastic pollution. Students initiated a campaign to raise awareness about plastic waste and its harmful effects, especially the accumulation of plastic in the Pacific Ocean, known as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch."

The project included discussions with engineers from the industry to understand proper plastic recycling and classification. They developed an educational video featuring a catchy mnemonic for plastic sorting and created visual materials, including posters and stickers, to disseminate their message to the school and local community.

In addition to producing a fun stop-motion animation titled "Operation Reduce Ocean Plastics," students also established a Facebook group, "Dela-Plast," to share information and encourage community participation in reducing plastic usage. Their efforts extended beyond the classroom; they organized awareness campaigns during school events and even created educational materials for teachers and families, promoting a collaborative approach to combating plastic pollution.

The project ultimately resulted in practical changes, such as installing water dispensers at school to reduce bottled water consumption and building a prototype of a plastic waste collection device for the ocean. With funding support, they aimed to sustain their outreach and continue creating impactful educational content.