Thousands of people handed in more than 7.2 million plastic bottles in exchange for school supplies in Santo Domingo, in response to an initiative by the Dominican capital's authorities to raise environmental awareness.
The "Plastics for School-Age Children" activity started early in the morning (local time) on Sunday and was scheduled to last six hours, with only residents from the city centre taking part. However, due to the large number of people, many of whom came from the interior, it was decided to extend the time.
Almost 12 hours after it started, the City Council said it had collected more than 7.2 million bottles, which represents more than double the number of containers received in January, in the fourth edition of "Plastic for Toys", also an initiative of the local authority.
In return for the bottles received, 14,462 school kits were given out, consisting of a backpack in different colours with school supplies, including a tablet, headphones, notebooks, rulers or pencils.
For many participants, the materials provided are essential so that the youngest children can start school with everything they need.
Entire families camped out for two nights around the Town Hall to hand over large bags filled with water bottles, weighed and exchanged for school supplies, among numerous security agents, police officers and volunteers.
The Mayor, Carolina Mejía, highlighted the dual role of the initiative: educational and environmental, to raise awareness among children about the importance of recycling, highlighting the population's participation, exceeding expectations, in a campaign that took place in intense heat.
The plastic collected will be sent to the Botellitas de Amor Foundation and used to make synthetic wood furniture for places such as playgrounds, she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment