‘A Seychelles free from plastic bags’ campaign turns one! |01 July 2016

‘A Seychelles free from plastic bag’ campaign is an initiative of the SIDS YOUTH AIMS HUB-Seychelles – the local chapter of a regional youth-led non-governmental organisation aimed at promoting the four pillars of sustainable development and also youth empowerment.

The campaign was officially launched on July 3, 2015 during an educational and interactive workshop to celebrate the International Free from Plastic Bag day.

Since its launch, several activities have been conducted in order to push the campaign forward and to encourage the public to support the campaign through education on the effect of plastic and plastic bags on our environment and finding alternatives.

SIDS YOUTH AIMS HUB (SYAH) has ensured that it has proposed solutions and carried out projects to produce alternatives to plastic bags, namely reusable bags with the aid of S4S and with partnership of prisoners at the Montagne Posée prison and Seychellois entrepreneurs.

Summary of the timeline: ‘A Seychelles free from Plastic Bag’

July 3, 2015 – International Day Free from Plastic Bags

Education

• ‘A Seychelles free from plastic bag campaign’ was launched.
• A workshop to commemorate the ‘International free from Plastic Bag’ day with the aim of educating young people about a plastic bag free lifestyle and delegates were given the chance to create the own reusable bags 
• ‘A Seychelles free from Plastic bag’ Facebook page was launched and currently has over 900 likes.

July 4, 2015

• Day two of the celebrations to commemorate the International day free from plastic bag
• Exhibition at the Orion Mall and a flash dance by the youth, provision of alternatives to plastic bags.

August 2015

• Customised reusable bags made in collaboration with S4S with the “SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAG” message.  
• Bags were sold all over Mahé and La Digue including at the Sea Turtle Festival and Clean Up the World fun day.

Other events during 2015:

• Customised reusable bags labelled PROTEZ SESEL by ORIZINAL KREOL
• Survey on La Digue on the use of plastic bags
• Photo challenge to showcase youth with reusable bags
• On September 24, 2015 it was announced that there will be a ban on plastic bags.

“Within the next few months the ministry will be working with importers to set a timeline to eventually have these fossil fuel plastic bags out of the system and have the biodegradable ones introduced.”

• SYAH-Seychelles ‘A Seychelles free of plastic bag campaign’ was featured in the Potpourri magazine
• Appearance on Bonzour Sesel on SBC TV to talk about the campaign

     Youth Action

• Beach clean-up organised by Northern Region Youth Council (NRYC) – from Bel Ombre to Beau Vallon
• Beach clean-up at Intendance organised by Banyan Tree and Marine Conservation Society Seychelles
• Beach clean-up at Anse Etoile organised by NRYC
• Coastal clean-up with fishermen of Bel Ombre and S4S
• Clean-up at Anse Aux Pins playground organised by District Youth Council of Anse aux Pins
• Mass clean-up at La Retraite field attracting over 100 people from school students to ministers. The clean-up was part of a regional initiative funded by the Indian Ocean Commission.
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In 2016

Recent initiatives

• Inmates at the Montagne Posée prison sewed reusable bags in support of the campaign. They were given two sewing machines in return. Any funds from the sale of the bags are being reinvested in the campaign.
• Inmates sang a song produced by Jailhouse Productions.
• SYAH-Seychelles annual competition under the theme ‘Youth Says No to Plastic bag’ was launched.

Youth Action

• Marine Debris challenge was launched in March 2016 as part of an international initiative

Clean-ups for the Marine Debris challenge included: - Clean-up at the University of Seychelles                                                                                                                         Clean-up on Cousin Island                                                                                                                                                                                             - Clean-up on Silhouette Island   - Marine Debris clean-up at Bel Ombre    - Mass clean-up at Beau Vallon with Hunt Deltel

On July 3 this year the ‘A Seychelles free from plastic bag’ campaign turns one.

SYAH-Seychelles wishes to thank all its members, partners and the public who has helped in one way or another to support the campaign and the cause against plastic bags.

We are launching new initiatives this year including ‘How to make your own reusable bags’ videos to continue engaging young people and also take part in the full implementation for the ban of plastic bags in Seychelles.

The accompanying photos were taken during the different activities organised.

Contributed by SYAH-SEYCHELLES