Our Trash Heroes in Myanmar met President U Win Myint at a World Environment Day event in Nay Pyi Taw. The President was originally introduced to Trash Hero in 2018, then honoring the growing national movement and its local chapters for their fantastic work, and for promoting the spirit of sustainability within their individual communities.
Trash Hero Myanmar Updates President U Win Myint on the year’s project successes
Addressing more than 400 stakeholders representing state and regional ministries, academic institutions, businesses, and special interest groups, the President urged the Burmese people to look at their own relationships with waste in their everyday lives. His message mirrored the spirit of the Trash Hero mission: that lasting, high-level change occurs from collective adjustments to our mindset and behaviours.
The President’s message is supported by a record of growing public action and awareness against waste. Myanmar’s first Trash Hero community clean was organized in Yangon in July 2016, coordinating 135 volunteers who collected more than 400 kg of rubbish. Today, Trash Hero Myanmar has expanded to 10 national chapters, who together have collected 46,517 kilograms of trash with the help of almost 17,000 volunteers – more than 5,000 of which are children.
The President’s support for movements like Trash Hero is predicated on a national ambition to develop the country as a climate-resilient, low-carbon, low-waste society.
Trash Hero Myanmar has grown quickly with 10 national chapters actively reducing the waste problem in their communities
He announced two new policies that recognize the increasing threat of extreme weather and other climate change impacts this economic and social development. These policies – called the National Environmental Policy and the Myanmar Climate Change Policy – recognize the need for collaboration among ministries, civil society, businesses, and academia. But the President also highlights the importance of public participation – through initiatives like Trash Hero – to establish a sustainable national mindset.
“I would like to urge Myanmar citizens, including all of you, to participate for the current and future sustainable development of our country by changing your daily lifestyles in order to support environmental conservation,” he said while addressing participants at the World Environment Day event.
The Heroes of Trash Hero Myanmar in Action!
In the capital of Nay Pyi Taw, heroes from Mandalay, Yangon, Lashio, and Ngapali chapters presented on their ongoing projects and efforts to an incredibly supportive response from government leaders. The President himself described their work as “fantastic,” highlighting the need for such young, active, energetic heroes committed to fighting the imminent threat plastic pollution poses to our environment.
Myanmar’s National TV – MRTV – showcased Trash Hero Myanmar’s activities along with the efforts of other local groups urging the government to follow through on its consideration of legislation to reduce waste and improve waste management systems.
