BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
RESILIENCE, Innovation and Social Change Girls Club which consists of young girls based in the Tuvaruhu community, Central Honiara are cleaning the environment by recycling plastic bottles into bricks and pavers.
Tonnes of plastic waste, particularly discarded plastic wastes have threatened communities in Honiara with environmental pollution, and by now almost everybody knows it.
However, knowing what the problem is and solving it is always a major problem in the country. Luckily, a group that consists of 15 girls aged 12-20 years has found their way to cut plastic waste and protect the environment.
Founder and initiator of Resilience, Innovation and Social Change Girls Club (RISC-CG), Bobby Siarani told Environment Media that the local community group focuses mainly on environmental issues such as waste recycling, catering, and other girls’ empowerment activities.
“Recently, the RISC -CG has ventured into the invention of turning discarded plastic bags and bottles into strong and durable pavement bricks from recycled plastics bottles,” said Bobby, who has graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and a major in Chemistry And Earth Science from the University of South Pacific in Fiji.
He said they are main aim is to recycle all forms of plastic wastes, however, for now, they have started with plastic bottle wastes.
The club is led by Ms. Bethlyn Kelly who is currently doing her form six studies at King George Six National Secondary School in Honiara, according to Bobby.
Bobby said the group was formed this year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic to empower young girls to engage in meaningful activities.
“The RISC-CG to date, comprised of 15 members, five executive members, and 10 non-executive members.
“This is a new group and there is more work for us, we haven’t yet registered and we are working towards that, from there we should reach out for assistance from NGOs, and donors to support us with our programs,” he said.
