Being an part of the clean up drive was an completely new experience for me. Armed with gloves, garbage bags and an strong motive, we were ready to make an positive impact on the environment on the lazy Sunday mornings. We worked as an team where we begin our goal with an strong briefing where we discussed about the need of cleaning plastic and other waste from the ocean. We then divided our selves and started picking up garbage at different assigned areas.
LO4 – Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experience
The first two locations we visited for cleaning over the course of four sessions were pretty huge. There was an lot of plastic and other waste that was floating across the river. We divided ourselves into small groups and started collecting the waste from the riverside. It was an difficult task for me because we had to be careful while going near the river and collecting the waste, as well as we had to walk long distance with the garbage to keep it back to the meeting point which was not an easy task however my commitment and dedication towards the CAS allowed me to collect sufficient amount of waste and successfully complete our goal as an team. Setting up alarms and waking up on Sundays was also an tough task for me where I had to prioritise my CAS over my sleep and complete the clean up drives.
LO5 – Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively
Teamwork played an vital role in completing this CAS experience since we were taken to different polluted areas of the city with tons of garbage and landfills. To cleanup the massive area, we started working collaboratively in small groups and started collecting the waste. Working together not only allowed us to collect more trash and work efficiently, it also taught us the importance of teamwork and dedication in achieving any goal despite it being an difficult task. Looking at our work, many people passing by were also appreciating our work that allowed us as an community to spread an strong message to the local citizens regarding cleanliness and loss to the environment by us polluting the environment.
LO6 – Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
Our efforts and contribution in the cleanup drive as an team was more than just an local effort; it was also an way of spreading awareness amongst the people and bringing out an small change which we can possibly do from an individuals scale. Our actions also brings down solution to few of the most prominent global issues that includes environmental sustainability (landfills, plastic waste, climate change, pollution) if it is done at an large scale. By taking an action of cleaning public places and rivers, we created more space for an larger discussion that can possibly be done about the impact of human activities on the environment.
To conclude, the cleanup drive was an successful one as we were able to collect tons of garbage from every single drive and make an positive change as well as we were able to spread an positive awareness amongst the locals who were passing by and appreciating our work. My learning from this clean up drive is it made me more aware about the waste which we consume in our daily lives and where it gathers at the end of the day that made me be more careful and persuade me to consume less plastic to save the environment.
