Project News

On May 14, 2008, as part of our environmental education activity for area residents, we held a seminar on the problem of garbage. Ms. Edna, the Project personnel in charge of environmental education, planned the seminar.  The seminar site was a meeting room in the administrative office of Chagres National Park and the speakers were Ms. Mariela from an NGO and Ms. Luisa from Panama City Hall (photo 1).  Photo 2 shows the pile of garbage the speakers brought.  What were they going to do with that?

First, the participants were divided into groups and then each group cut out articles and photos from old newspapers and magazines to make a poster depicting the environment around them.  Each group then presented their posters.  This was an icebreaking exercise for participants before the main activity.  (Photos 3 & 4)

Now for the garbage, each group received part of the garbage pile and discussed how to separate the garbage.  The group also discussed the standard method for classifying garbage.  Afterwards, each groups reported on their conclusions. (Photos 5 & 6)

Next, looking at the pile of garbage, the groups considered how to apply the three words, "reduce", "reuse" and "recycle" and then reported again to the rest of the groups.  The groups could easily find ways to apply the concepts  "reduce" and "reuse", but it seemed they had more difficulty with "recycle".   (Photos 7 & 8)

At the end, the speakers showed crafts made from discarded paper or from pull-tabs from canned drinks and explained briefly how to make them.  (The crafts are on the desk in photo 1.)

The reality is that recycling and the reuse of garbage is not common even in the metropolitan area of Panama.  (There is garbage collection, but the garbage is not separated.  Cans, bottles, paper and organic matter are all mixed together in the garbage.)  Thus, it doesn't appear that the participants will be able to immediately apply what they learned from this seminar.  However, from the long-term perspective these are habits that need to be introduced some day, so this is a start in raising the awareness of the participants.

(Photo 1: left) (Photo 2: right)

(Photo 3: left) (Photo 4: right)

(Photo 5: left) (Photo 6: right)

(Photo 7: left) (Photo 8: right)

(Mr. Isao SAKAI, Chief Advisor / Rural Development)