School students in Vardenis champion garbage sorting initiative

In Vardenis, Armenia, unsorted garbage is disposed of in a communal landfill. The practice has caused concern for several years with local authorities urging for the closure of the landfill due to its detrimental effects. The unmanaged waste spreads to neighboring areas through the wind and by animals but also emits a noxious odor that has become intolerable among residents.

Additionally, a small population of residents burn garbage, releasing harmful substances into the atmosphere, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, dioxins, and other carcinogenic compounds. Some of the waste makes its way into the Vardenis and Makenis rivers, which flow into Lake Sevan, leading to serious environmental and health risks.

In Spring 2023, eighth-grade students and teachers from Vardenis public school No. 3 started  engaging with the local community to promote environmental responsibility and support with mitigating the effects of climate change. The group has created a comprehensive set of activities in partnership with the Vardenis authorities. Students have surveyed the community to assess the level of readiness for change and have also produced a video highlighting the detrimental effects of improper waste disposal, crafted slide shows and informational leaflets, and organized community meetings at the school. In support of these efforts, the municipality has distributed the informational materials prepared by the students.

During the training, teachers gained substantial knowledge about climate change, which they eagerly shared and discussed, which helped them work with students to identify waste management as a key priority.

There are plans underway to establish a waste processing plant in Gegharkunik. In the meantime, the school has been equipped with waste bins for paper, plastic and glass, provided by the municipality. By actively participating in waste sorting, students aim to set a positive example that inspires adults to follow suit, fostering a culture of responsible waste management.

Milena, an active participant in the working group, firmly believes that there is another compelling avenue to capture the interest of fellow citizens: the potential economic benefits derived from waste sorting and recycling.

According to Milena, unsorted garbage frequently accumulates in Lake Sevan, resulting in its shores being littered with waste. This not only poses a significant threat to the lake's aquatic ecosystem but also has implications for the quality of drinking water derived from these water sources.

She emphasizes that by implementing effective waste sorting practices, we can prevent waste from ending up in the lake, thereby fostering a healthier environment and preserving the vitality of the lake.

"The positive impact of a single person's actions within the community can inspire others," says Milena

Milena's classmate, Aram, was concerned by the accumulation of plastic bags in his community. “Any type of plastic waste is bad for the environment, including animals. A single plastic bottle takes hundreds of years to decompose and can cause harm to numerous animal species,” explains Aram.

“By degrading the planet, we push it to a point of no return. If we fail to address this problem promptly, it will only make it more challenging to correct things, leading to irreversible harm to our country's nature,” explains Aram.

According to Aram, raising awareness about the consequences of microplastics in drinking water can motivate residents to adopt waste-sorting practices.

In 2022, Aram and his classmates developed a prototype model of a robot designed to process mixed, unsorted waste by grinding them down and sorting them by material. “During our chemistry lessons, we learned that various materials react differently to magnetic waves. By incorporating sensors into the robot and using specialized coding, the waves identify the material, allowing for effective separation. Plastic will be sent to the plastic container, glass to the glass container, and so forth,” he explains. Aram envisions that with sufficient funding, their invention to process waste efficiently can come to life, revolutionizing waste management practices.

Mrs Khachatryan said that her students have overcome fears of public speaking and can now advocate for their cause in a compelling and persuasive way. Alongside acquiring environmental knowledge, the project has supported students’ self-expression, self-discovery and self-confidence.

“The knowledge and skills we instill in children today will manifest in the transformative actions they undertake in the future. The role of children in any community development initiative is paramount. They should feel a sense of responsibility and recognize that they are trusted contributors and that their opinions are taken into consideration," she says.