–‘upcycle’ competition brings out vision for sustainability through innovation

ON the surface, utilising plastic waste to create an item that is unique and usable seems trivial, but the Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), through its “upcycle competition,” are encouraging persons to reveal their vision for a sustainable environment through innovation.

In observance of World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on March 15, and Earth Day, which was celebrated on April 25, the CCAC through a collaborative effort with the Seawalls and Beyond volunteer group, held the competition at the Kingston seawall in the vicinity of the bandstand, last Saturday.

Conducted under the theme for World Consumer Rights Day, “Tackling Plastic Pollution,” the competition saw eight teams participating and utilising their creative minds to turn plastic waste into any innovative item.

A representative of the CCAC, in addressing the participants, advised them to not just think of the activity as a one-off event, but more as a lesson that could be shared with others.
“When you go back to your communities and groups, encourage others to do the same. If they can’t dispose of it responsibly, turn it into something creative,” the representative said.
She further said that this activity should also serve as a reminder that future generations could benefit only if there is a sustainable environment.

“We have to leave something for the future generation and if we don’t start by doing something now, we would not be able to leave anything, and, for that, we must consume in a sustainable manner,” the representative reasoned.

Representative of Seawalls and Beyond, Dwayne Hackett, said too that his group has been advocating for the recycling of plastics, and he feels that the way persons continue to utilise plastic products is unsustainable.

“So, we have to think innovatively how to keep out this plastic and you are leading in doing so” Hackett told the participants.

Emerging as the winner of the competition was a group called “Recyclers,” which copped $50,000. Further, Hema Persaud, who participated independently, managed to get second place and win $40,000, while the “Positive Foundation of Agricola” secured the third spot and $30,000.

The competition was judged by Commissioners of the CCAC, Jason Allicock and Nalinie Singh, and Sean Thomas of the Burrowes School of Art. (Elvin Croker)