Programs also reduce non-recyclable waste, facilitate awareness 

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian Educational Center (CEST) in Talca, Chile, has formed an Ecological Brigade focused on recycling and environmental protection. The brigade is made up of students from first to sixth grade who collect and sort recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard and plastic.

Waste materials are deposited in recycling points strategically located throughout the school. Students are in charge of supervising the use of eco-boxes, installed in each classroom, to ensure that recyclable waste is collected in an orderly and efficient manner.

Professor Carla Farías, head of the North Campus Environmental Committee, explained that the Ecological Brigade also facilitates awareness programs with students. She said, “In this way, the brigade members not only act as collectors, but also as agents of change who promote a culture of care and respect for the environment within the school.”

Farías added, “Thanks to the effort and dedication of the brigade, CEST has managed to significantly reduce the non-recyclable waste generated at the school, actively contributing to protecting the environment. However, there is still work to be done to strengthen an environmental culture among students and continue moving toward an increasingly sustainable school.”

The center has also established alliances with external collection centers, such as the Municipality of Talca, so that recyclable materials collected are managed appropriately.

A Salesian said, “The commitment of the Ecological Brigade is a clear example of how education and collective action can generate a positive impact on the community and the environment, cultivating a generation that is more conscious and responsible with the planet.”

Salesian missionaries provide education and social development programs for poor youth in Chile. Once finished with primary and secondary school, students can advance for higher education. Salesian technical schools cater to students who have dropped out of school and are seeking a second chance. In many programs, students complete their education while engaging in internships with local employers. This increases the students’ hands-on work experience and ability to gain livable wage employment after their studies are completed.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – CEST Ecological Brigade: A Commitment to Recycling and the Environment

Salesian Missions – Chile

World Bank – Chile