Xmas Tree-A Christmas tree made from disposed Plastic bottles

Rotaract Club of Badulla in collaboration with Catholic students Movement of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka and Buddhist Students Union of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka built a 15 foot tall Christmas tree from disposed plastic bottles, collected from the open areas of Badulla town, with the aim of sending them for recycling .This was displayed at St. Mary’s Cathedral-Badulla. The objective of this project was to create awareness about the usage and disposal of plastic daily basis, and also to create a good image about the Rotaract movement in the community, regarding peace and reconciliation and for the 50 years celebration of Rotaract movement. This was made using more than 800 plastic bottles collected from open areas of the town and from the university. And also bamboo sticks and steel wires were used for the structure. The preparations were started on Monday 23rd of December and finished by the Christmas Eve to display to the public. The administration of St. Mary’s Cathedral -Badulla supported this great cause in numerous ways. The bottles were sent to Plastic Recycling Yard-Badulla Municipal Council for recycling after display. All of the steps in preparing this were in accordance with the recover guidelines.

Project objectives were to create an awareness about the usage and disposal of plastic daily basis, to highlight different ways of using disposed garbage and to symbolically show importance of removing one time plastic for the community, to create awareness about recycling plastic for a better and peaceful world, to create a good image about the Rotaract movement within the community, to celebrate Christmas with community of Badulla district and to create an awareness regarding peace and reconciliation, to create awareness about the 50 years celebration of Rotaract movement.

 Isuri Vinoma, a member of Rotaract Club of Badulla brought up the initiative to the club. Catholic Students Movement of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka and Buddhist Students Union of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka joined hands in this great cause. Catholic Students Movement of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka coordinated with Administration of St.Mary's Cathedral -Badulla and facilitated the best place for the tree which added a religious value also. Buddhist Students Union of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka supported with volunteering till the end of the process. Both clubs supported in providing plastic bottles by requesting them from the undergraduates of Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka and the minor and academic staffs. Project chairs coordinated with National Electricity Board-Badulla Office and provided with required flash lights and other current facilities. Plastic Recycling Yard-Badulla of Municipal Council-Badulla agreed to accept all the plastic used here for recycling. St.Mary's Cathedral -Badulla provided the volunteers with food and refreshment. Rotary club of Badulla supported in logistics and transportation. With the help and support of all the parties the Christmas tree was started building on 20/12/2019 and finished by 9.00 p.m. in 24/12/2019, and opened for exhibition.

All the dominant social media pages (Facebook) of Badulla area (Kiri Badulla, Sri Lankan Backpacker, Api Badulle) supported us by promoting the initiative in their pages, Successful feedback was received from them.

 From this project we were able to create a lasting impact on community in Badulla district by creating awareness about the usage and disposal of plastic daily basis, by highlighting different ways of using disposed garbage and by symbolically showing importance of removing one time plastic for the community. The news about Christmas tree made from plastic was spread quickly and nearly 1000 people came to visit the tree from 24/12/2019 to 31/12/2019. The church and the municipal council sent their regards personally on this initiative. A lot personal wishes were received from the community. University nonacademic staff mentioned that they visited to watch the tree with their families and children and taught about the proper way of utilizing one time plastic. Because of this initiative, people from Badulla district got to know about the club and some of them called us personally and appreciated the work. They mentioned that this initiative affected their day to day plastic usage and they were fond that a Rotaract Club is here for Badulla District.