By R.Swathi
“Do you know what the favorite food of turtles is?” asked Sarah, a crew member aboard the vessel Plastic Odyssey, addressing a group of schoolchildren. As the children paused to ponder, Sarah answered, “Jellyfish. And do you know what looks like a jellyfish in the ocean?” The children fell silent again. “A single-use plastic cover, which the turtles eat thinking that it is a jellyfish!” revealed Sarah, prompting a collective, saddened sigh from the group.
On Mar.18, 25 children from Chennai High School, Kamaraj Avenue, Adyar, visited the vessel as part of an awareness session on the impact of plastic waste in the ocean and the myriad items that can be created through recycling. Plastic Odyssey, a French research vessel, is on a global journey to study how different coastal countries tackle plastic waste. Docked at Chennai Port from Mar.1 to 22, Chennai marked its 30th destination.
Excitement filled the air as the children arrived at the port. During the ship tour, they eagerly connected what they studied in their classroom, marveling at how the ship navigates the ocean, how the compass works, the purpose of the periscope, and the ship’s communication systems.
Next came a tour of the onboard plastic recycling facility. Sarah explained the different types of plastics and showcased innovative recycling ideas, such as transforming plastic waste into logs and tiles. She then pointed to the plastic furniture in the ship’s lounge, made entirely in-house from plastic collected during their journey. The children were thoroughly impressed, taking turns to sit on the various chairs and inspecting the coffee table with great curiosity.
As everyone gathered in the dining room to reflect on their learnings, Sarah shared an insightful observation. “We find that India already has far more sustainable practices embedded in daily life than any other country.”
She then presented various everyday items, sparking squeals of excitement from the children as they eagerly guessed each one. At the sight of a carrier lunch box, one student nearly jumped up, exclaiming, “I have one just like this!” Many others chimed in, proudly sharing that they, too, bring steel lunch boxes to school.
Sarah continued, showing a bread maker and a yogurt maker, highlighting that, much like many Indian households, they make their own bread and yogurt. She revealed that the bread maker was preloved equipment, emphasising the importance of reusing items. When she picked up a yellow cloth bag, the children immediately shouted in unison, “Manja pai!” This time, it was Sarah who was delighted, recognising the children’s awareness and enthusiasm for sustainable options.
Concluding the session, Sarah explained how plastic waste from land often ends up in the ocean, encouraging the children to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives.
The children also visited Alliance Française, Nungambakkam, for the exhibition ‘An Alternative to Plastic’, conceptualised by the Plastic Odyssey team and featuring captivating displays by OK Upcycling Studio, Padma Shri Thota Tharrani, and ROKA.
OK Upcycling Studio showcased an impressive underwater scene highlighting the impact of plastic pollution — crafted entirely from old CDs and waste plastics. ROKA’s sustainability corner presented simple, age-old alternatives to plastic products, leaving the children in awe of the practical solutions available.
The visit also included a series of short films by the Plastic Odyssey team, documenting sustainable practices from various countries. The experience was both eye-opening and heartwarming, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Team Plastic Odyssey conducted multiple sessions across various schools in the city and took part in a beach clean-up drive at Kovalam Beach, where, among the collected litter, they discovered paper plates made from French-origin milk cartons!
The team also visited Kasturba Nagar, exploring the composting and sustainability initiatives led by the Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association (ROKA). Additionally, they collaborated with several recyclers across the city to gain deeper insights into the local recycling landscape.
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