Favignana, Ustica, and Pantelleria win the competition to reduce single-use plastic in schools
The challenge, promoted within the project “Plastic-free schools small islands – Starting from schools to build a more sustainable future,” has concluded. Three water purification systems will be awarded to the winning schools, and water bottles will be given to the classes creating the winning projects.
The initiative is carried out by the Sicilian Regional Delegation of Marevivo and supported thanks to funding received from Conservation Collective through their Depeche Mode & Hublot partnership during the Memento Mori world tour.
The installation of the three water purification systems will allow approximately 330 students to abandon plastic bottles, saving the environment around 57,000 bottles per year.
The students have been committed to producing projects that narrate their journey of gradual abandonment of single-use plastic, drawing inspiration from the principles of reuse and recycling.
Participating schools, with their various branches, are attended by students from 12 small Sicilian islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, Pantelleria, Ustica, Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. The competing institutions included:
- IC Rallo, Favignana
- IC Isole Eolie, Lipari
- IC Lipari S. Lucia, Lipari
- Istituto di Istruzione Superiore Isa Conti Eller Vainicher, Lipari
- DD D’Ajetti, Pantelleria
- Istituto di Istruzione Superiore Vincenzo Almanza, Pantelleria
- ICS Saveria Profeta, Ustica
The competition concluded with the submission of 28 projects created by students using various techniques (drawings, videos, PowerPoint presentations, texts, and other creative works). The winners of the competition are:
- 2ND AND 3RD GRADES OF LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL AND 1ST GRADE OF UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL, ICS PROFETA DI USTICA
The video “Stop plastic” is awarded for humorously and lightly narrating how every small gesture can make a difference. The video illustrates how the replacement of single-use plastic with reusable or more sustainable materials is influenced by our daily choices. Through small actions, we can all become superheroes!
- CLASS 1A – LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL MINEO, IC RALLO IN FAVIGNANA
The comic strip “Plastic-free” is awarded for its originality. The project, using the comic strip technique, narrates the students’ journey of awareness and responsibility developed through their participation in various environmental education projects. They are aware that “we must act, change habits, and raise awareness among those who have not yet understood that if we don’t recreate a world without plastic… the world will do without us.” The reference to the plastic-free actions taken in the islands of Favignana and Marettimo is particularly appreciated. The students emphasize that “every respectful action is important, even if it may seem like just a small drop in the ocean.”
CLASSES 5A AND 5B – PLESSO CAPOLUOGO, DD D’AJETTI IN PANTELLERIA
The project “Plastic-Free Tree” is awarded for creativity. An artistic and creative work that also highlights the commitment of the youngest participants. The children wanted to contribute to the reuse of plastic, symbolizing the desire to free their island from plastic. Special attention has been given to the dangers posed by the abandonment of disposable bags in the environment, conveying awareness of the immense damage they cause to habitats and marine species. The replacement of these bags with reusable ones is depicted as the most suitable choice, along with the elimination of plastic bottle consumption.
A special mention has been awarded to the project of class 1A from Liceo Almanza in Pantelleria. The project stands out for the technical quality of the video, which straightforwardly narrates the plastic-free actions taken by the students, thanks to their sensitivity and that of the entire island community. In appreciation of their efforts, the students will be presented with water bottles as a token of recognition.
Watch the video.
The awareness campaign involved the students in reflecting on the issue of single-use plastic and increasing awareness of the importance of water as a precious primary resource for small islands that often lack direct access to drinking water. The commitment of the students demonstrates that through small concrete actions, the gradual elimination of single-use plastic becomes possible even in small islands.