Kids Turn Plastic Waste Into Safety Badges in Creative Workshop

Eco-Lesson in Syktyvkar: Preschoolers Turn Old Plastic Cards into Reflective Badges

At Syktyvkar's Kindergarten No. 38, organizers—invited by the staff—held a workshop for children on making reflective badges from old plastic cards. As tradition dictates, the session was led by Daria Shchuchalina, who heads the permanent working group on housing and utilities at the Public Chamber of the Komi Republic and also chairs the regional Ministry of Construction's public council.

The children were well-prepared: for years, their teachers have been fostering a careful attitude toward the environment. The little ones collect plastic at home and bring it to kindergarten, where staff deliver it to a recycling center. The kids know they're on an important mission—giving waste a second life. During a quiz led by Shchuchalina, they answered confidently, quickly, and correctly, naming the number of cities and districts where the Northern Regional Operator's large team works, tracing the path of waste from container sites to landfills, and guessing how long plastic takes to decompose if not recycled.

Still, the lecturer managed to surprise them. The children sincerely believed paper cups were harmless since they're made of cardboard. Their astonishment grew when they learned that such cups are actually hazardous: lined with polyethylene to prevent leaks, they release harmful substances when filled with hot tea or coffee. When Shchuchalina asked what could replace this pseudo-eco packaging, the quick-thinking kids listed safe alternatives: thermoses, travel mugs, and glass bottles. She then asked what kind of tableware they usually use at home. Most families, it turned out, rely on glass, porcelain, or ceramic dishes, while some even use clay—all of which are safe for health.

At the workshop, the children crafted reflective badges from old plastic cards, learning that plastic can be reused instead of discarded. Now, equipped with simple yet practical reflective keychains, they'll be more visible—and safer—on the roads. As a reward for their active participation and correct answers, Shchuchalina gave the most engaged boys and girls useful gifts from the Northern Regional Operator: tote bags made from recycled plastic.