One Small Step to Erase our Footprint

The U.S. alone comsumed 50 billion plastic water bottles in 2013.  Unfortunately, the recycling rate for plastic is a mere 23 percent.  That means 38 billion water bottles, more than $1 billion worth of plastic, are wasted annually - in one country.  Combine that with all the other 195 countries in the world, and you get the picture.

One of my main goals here was to educate the children on the environment and decrease the trash and toxic pollution.  Everyone litters.  Everyone.  They stack in into a pile and burn it.  Why does this happen?  The province truck won't come down our village road.  And what can you do?  There are no dumps, no garbage men, no environmentalists.

I can't solve burning trash, littering in general, or the shocking deforestation taking place in this country.  However, I bought three bins, made signs, taught the students to only throw recyclables in it, and Socheata recycles it for extra cash for his family.  It's not much, but sometimes I wonder how much good I'm doing here.  I wanted to see something tangible and lasting as a result of my hard work.  Besides, the kids loved the idea.  My little ones don't understand the why.  But they understand the how.  And that's all I need for now.