From Awareness to Action: Evaluating the Impact of Whole School Approach on Plastic Pollution in Galle City, Sri Lanka

Environmental Education (EE) is crucial for raising awareness about environmental protection and improving the quality of life for present and future generations (Ilovan et al., 2019; Premakumara et al., 2016). This is particularly important in addressing global issues like plastic pollution. As of 2015, approximately 6300 metric tons of plastic waste had been produced, with only 9% recycled, 12% incinerated, and 79% accumulated in landfills or the natural environment (Geyer et al., 2017). This poses significant threats to both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In Sri Lanka, plastic pollution is a major environmental concern, especially in coastal regions where the problem has escalated over the past decade (Premakumara et al., 2023). To tackle this issue, a pilot project named “Making Galle City Plastic Waste Free” was initiated by the IGES Centre in collaboration with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET), the Ministry of Environment (MOE) Sri Lanka, the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat), and the local partner HELP-O. As part of this project, a Whole School Approach (WSA) was piloted in three selected schools in Galle City to foster environmental awareness, promote sustainable practices, and empower students to actively participate in reducing plastic waste. This study evaluates the impact of the WSA on transforming plastic pollution awareness and management among students in the pilot schools.