Teenagers Worldwide reduce plastic use through challenge
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Students in Singapore, observing plastic waste in their school cafeteria, joined the Unplastify Challenge, a global program that empowers teenagers to reduce plastic use in their communities.
The Unplastify Challenge, initiated by the Latin American social enterprise Unplastify and funded by the National Geographic Society, asks 15- to 16-year-olds to design and carry out solutions to reduce plastic consumption in their schools, homes, and neighborhoods.
Since its start eight years ago, Unplastify has engaged over 3,000 students across 400 schools in 25 countries, resulting in efforts to avoid an estimated 72 tons of plastic waste. Students in Chile created a biodegradable glitter, while those in Costa Rica switched to natural sponges. In Brazil, students collaborated with uniform suppliers to eliminate polyester, a plastic fiber.
Unplastify co-founder Augustina “Tati” Besada started the program after realizing the limitations of recycling while running a community recycling center in New York. She and architect Rocío González founded Unplastify in 2018, believing that young people should lead the effort to reduce plastic waste at its source. The program focuses on project-based learning, equipping students with skills in research, presentation, teamwork, and branding, while also advocating for systemic change and collaboration with businesses and governments.
