Mangaluru: The buzz of Christmas celebrations had barely faded when students at Carmel High School, Modankap, Bantwal, of Dakshina Kannada district sat down with scissors and glue, turning piles of newspapers into almost 4,900 paper carry bags for neighbourhood shops. Each bag can hold up to 2kg. The school club led the effort to raise awareness about plastic use and its impact on the environment.“It started with a vision that change begins at home and school, and this can inspire children, as well as others, to reduce plastic usage. I trained around 259 children, and about 41 children actively participated, while others helped by procuring newspapers to make paper bags. The bags were made during the Christmas holidays. Students also educated their parents on how newspapers can be reused as carry bags, sparking discussions and curiosity among the public,” said Pinto. “After completion, we distributed the paper bags to shopkeepers in the vicinity,” he added.Active participants received marks under the school project. “This is a practical project with hands-on experience,” he said.“From next year onwards, we want to make it stronger and add a handle so that it can be used multiple times. The initiative not only promotes sustainability but also instils a strong sense of responsibility and environmental consciousness among students and the local community,” he said, adding that many other schools approached him to train their students in paper-bag making.Under Pinto’s mentorship, the school undertakes environmental initiatives every year. Since 2019, students have been trained to dig percolation pits. Starting this month, the ‘Chirp Chirp’ campaign to provide water for birds will begin. In addition, each student who joins high school receives a good-quality sapling to nurture.
