Laws play an important role in regulating the use and disposal of plastics. For instance, India has regulations regarding the use of plastic bags below 50 microns. This activity is designed to create a discussion in class about developing a set of rules for the school that will help reduce the use of plastics and their appropriate disposal.
Before you begin
The facilitator can start by explaining the importance of legislation and current rules and regulations for plastic waste disposal. young people can then be asked to draft their laws regarding the use and disposal of plastics.
- Choose some young people within your team to lead the discussion. Their task will be to prepare a draft set of rules and legislation for using and disposing of plastics in the school/scout headquarter/sports club.
- Meanwhile, the rest of the young people can select their representative to be a speaker who will conduct the proceedings.
- The speaker should then invite discussion on the draft rules. All young people must be encouraged to argue and suggest modifications to the draft.
- The group that has drafted the legislation can also present their suggestions.
- Finally, the class can vote on the corrected draft.
- In case of no agreement, item-wise votes can be taken to decide which suggestions should form a part of the school/scout headquarter/sports club rules.
- The approved draft as the recommended set of rules which govern the use and disposal of plastics for the school/scout headquarters/ sports club can then be handed over to the principal.
Conclusion
The young people will derive a clear understanding of the parliamentary process of lawmaking.
Evaluation
It can focus on the quality of the discussion:
- Whether the different points of view are being articulated and received, and how?
- How are these views being integrated towards a consensus?
The following questions can be used for discussion:
- Is it possible to get unanimity on the plastic policy?
- Is there any part of the suggested rules that might affect some participants unfairly? If yes, how can the rules be modified to avoid doing so?
This activity will also help the young people to comprehend the need for and impact of laws and regulations on plastic use and disposal.
