Presenting of the waste management units. From left: Radhini De Costa, Assistant Vice President, Communications – Nestlé Lanka; B. Egodage, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs – Nestlé Lanka; I. W. Lal Somathilaka, Principal, R/Thiriwanaketiya College; Sepala Kuruppuarachchi, Provincial Education Director Sabaragamuwa; Tyrone Attanayake, Mayor, Rathnapura Municipal Council; W. Wickramasinghe, Assistant Manager, CEA

Students of Dharmapala College reciting the Environmental Pledge

In an effort to assist school to better manage their waste management practices, Nestlé Lanka last week donated waste management units to schools in the Rathnapura District.

The donation was done via School Waste Management Programme that is implemented in collaboration with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Ministry of Education, and local Municipal Councils.
The programme aims to inspire a positive behavioural change in the future generation of Sri Lanka. 

Launched in January 2020 as part of Nestlé Lanka’s efforts to help achieve a waste-free future, the programme will be extended to 250 schools around the country this year, impacting over 400,000 children. 

The School Waste Management Programme was guided by school authorities and ensures that waste in school premises is segregated and disposed of responsibly. 

CEA officials work with the schools’ environmental societies to create awareness on proper waste disposal and management and encourage students to act as environmental ambassadors in spreading the word. Thereafter, the relevant Municipal Council in the area ensures that the waste is collected and sent for recycling or energy recovery as much as possible. 

Commenting on the programme,  Rathnapura Municipal Council  Mayor Tyrone Attanayake, said the effort is imperative as it lays a strong foundation to encourage behavioural change in school children – the future generation of Sri Lanka.

“Waste is a valuable resource if disposed of responsibly. There is much that can be done with segregated waste, but unfortunately, most people lack awareness,” Attanayake said.

Meanwhile Provincial Education Director of Sabaragamuwa Sepala Kuruppuarachchi said it is a pleasure to be a part of this public-private partnership which focuses on taking action and creating awareness about one of the most crucial environmental issues in the country.