Not just making a difference, but also spreading the message

By Ayesha Inoon

What does it take to make a difference? Environmental pollution is an issue that affects each and every individual – yet how many of us make an effort to do something about it? Perhaps it’s not just the authorities or organisations who need to take action – perhaps all it takes is one person to make a change.

For 19-year-old Mitra Ganewatta, what was initially a school project became an opportunity to contribute his bit towards preserving the environment as well as educating other young people on the subject. Intrigued by a demonstration held in his school on how to produce handmade recycled paper, Mitra decided to try it on his own. Using diagrams from the demonstration, he asked a carpenter in his hometown, Kottawa, to make the equipment for him. After much effort, and with encouragement from his parents, Mitra turned out his first pieces of recycled paper.

Today he holds workshops for schoolchildren as well as the community on how to do this at home. One workshop that he particularly enjoyed was that which he held for the children’s society, Minimuthu, in his village, where they all made a whole batch of paper together, he says. With dried flowers, leaves and paints, Mitra often turns out beautiful cards, leaflets and other items with the paper, usually with a little message about conservation.

His innovative venture has earned him both the Presidential Medal of the Environmental Pioneers Programme conducted by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) as well as the Environmental Award by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) this year.

“At a time when we are wasting so much of our precious resources, it is important to educate people on the value of recycling,” he says. Recycling contributes to both conservation of natural resources and effective solid waste management. Also, since there is quite a demand in the market for recycled paper, he feels that this is something that many people can do as a self-employment venture.

The procedure is simple, explains Mitra, and can easily be done by anyone with the right equipment. After soaking the used paper in water overnight, he grinds it into a pulp in a blender or with a mortar and pestle. The pulp is poured into a basin, a netted frame dipped into it, and the layer of fibre that comes out is laid on a wooden board. Many layers can be set out in this manner, alternating with an absorbent cloth, he says, and then squeezed between the boards to remove the water, and left to dry overnight. Each layer of fibre turns out into a sheet of recycled paper.

“Recycling is not a new thing – but in Mitra’s case the difference is that he has been conducting workshops that will help the community,” says Kantha Lankatilake, Chairperson, Environmental Committee of the SLAAS. Speaking of their reasons for choosing him to be the recipient of their Environmental Award, she adds that Mitra is an enterprising young person who shows remarkable environmental consciousness and knowledge about the problem of solid waste disposal, and is trying to get the message across to society. “We must encourage young people like him,” she says.

Mitra, who transferred from Piliyandala Central College to Ananda College, Colombo for his Advanced Levels in the Biological Science stream, hopes to enter university soon. He also says that he will continue with projects such as these, in the hope that he will be able to benefit society in some way.

With his quiet confidence and altruistic motives, he is an inspiration to all those who want to help make the world a better place.