See what the experience is all about
Background
According to a 2015 study in Science Magazine, Malaysia was named the eighth worst country worldwide for plastic waste. Besides being an eyesore, there's a far more menacing consequence to plastic waste – it doesn't fully degrade. Littered items may exist for hundreds of years allowing time for particles to be ingested by animals and humans, causing detrimental effects. Acknowledging the consequences of improper plastic disposal has sparked innovation within development organizations.
Precious Plastic, an initiative created based on the increasing need for effective waste disposal, has been valuable in providing feasible, cost-effective, and easy-to-build recycling machines globally. Seeking to incentivize individuals by placing emphasis on sustainable, environmentally-friendly tasks, Precious Plastic has created a ‘Turning Trash into Cash’ program. Alongside World Volunteer you will assist in the creation of a Precious Plastic recycling center in the Batek village. Establishing these resources will help the Batek people generate money by creating sellable goods out of melted and moulded recycled waste. Such projects seek to promote economic development while mutually benefitting the environment through the redirection of plastic waste into reusable materials.
Protecting the environment is vital to the growth and success of humans and animals alike, spurring World Volunteer’s partnership with the Sungai Yu Wildlife Reserve. During this portion of the trip, you will be participating in treks that assist with an ongoing conservation project to assist animals living within this region. Information gathered and mapped will be handed over to the government and other related NGOs to ensure that up-to-date information is accessible enabling positive growth towards preservation.
Project
Participants in this program will contribute to the development of sustainable initiatives within the Batek village and Sungai Yu Wildlife Reserve, enabling economic growth and reduced environmental degradation. Trekking throughout the conservation while collecting vital information regarding wildlife, students will contribute to the data needed to expose the severity of current environmental issues within Malaysian forests. Additionally, the creation of a Precious Plastic recycling plant will allow village people to not only tackle their plastic waste problem, but additionally creates a medium through which they can benefit through the creation and sale of durable goods. Living amongst the Batek people will provide insight into the livelihoods of locals and how they survive living on the edges of the forest. Our program will introduce students to sustainability, conservation mapping, the struggles faced by the Batek people, and Northern Malaysian culture. Participating in various projects that depict the environmental concerns and proper combatant methods teaches students about sustainable practices and the importance of caring for the environment. Partnering with World Volunteer allows students to engage with a service-learning project that benefits increasing concerns for the Batek people, local wildlife, and the greater environment.
Our project utilizes machines that are both easy to understand, teach and use. Aligned with S.T.E.M. subjects, we take an interdisciplinary and applied approach integrating students into a cohesive learning environment based on real-world applications.
Location
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Impact
Throughout this trip, participantss will be contributing to the development of the Batek village recycling plant that will be used by the local people to turn plastic waste into sellable goods. Our approach to sustainability will equally promote practices that consider the environmental effects of individual action. With your help, we are able to create infrastructure that enables the safe-keeping of the planet as well as its people.
