The Hailakandi district administration on Friday organised a programme here to generate awareness on how to convert plastic bottles and waste into ecobricks.

As part of the campaign to make Hailakandi a plastic-free district, a march was also organised in collaboration with the Hailakandi Municipal Board, which was flagged off by additional deputy commissioner R.K. Dam.

The march began from Government VMHS School and culminated at Nazrul Sadan premises. Scores of schoolchildren marched carrying plastic bottles filled with waste.

Thanking the students and teachers for making ecobricks, Dam urged everyone to contribute towards making the environment free from plastic pollution.

The ecobricks, made up of plastic bags, mud and other non-biodegradable waste packed inside plastic bottles, will be used for building an Anganwadi centre at Singhalla under Lala development block.

Around 12,000 plastic bottles stuffed with 4.5 lakh plastic waste and mud will be used for construction of the centre within 45 days at an estimated cost of Rs 3.46 lakh. To mitigate the potential risks like cracks appearing after drying owing to shrinkage, liquid cement will be used.

To prevent rooms from getting hotter during summer, 140 holes will be created covered by aluminium net and 140 locally available grass plants placed in front of the holes to ensure adequate ventilation.

“The cost-effective earthquake-resilient structure will not only help improve the health of mother and child but also protect the environment,” said Dam.

The district administration, UNDP and education, social welfare and PWD departments are the project partners.

“Students and teachers can inspire many people into the journey to zero waste,” said district social welfare officer J. Daimary.