Save the environment, one plastic kayak at a time
A bunch of dynamic young New Zealanders are spreading the message of sustainability and environmental preservation through the first-of-its-kind initiative in NZ.
“Use it as a vase” – that is probably the answer I’d give to someone if they asked me how to recycle a plastic bottle. For a bunch of passionate and driven young New Zealanders though, that answer was something entirely different and unexpected...“build kayaks out of them”!
The Plastic Bottle Kayak project was the brainchild of Shruthi Vijaykumar and Daniel Cullum, who decided to combine their love for travel and their passion for sustainability by developing a venture that was the first of its kind in New Zealand – a journey down a river in plastic bottles. The project culminated in an expedition down the remote and pristine Whanganui river earlier this year over 3 days in May, with 15 young New Zealanders, amongst whom were proud Kiwi-Indians Ajay Ravindran (pictured) and Serena Sarika Lal.
Sustainability and environmental preservation have always been Ravindran’s foremost passions, who jumped at the opportunity to partake in this project. According to the Chennai-born 20 year old, single use plastics being dumped into water ways are challenging the image of clean & green New Zealand. “Being able to experience the Whanganui River on kayaks made out of plastic bottles helped me realise that it’s vital that we think more about our use of plastic. They are slowly killing our natural wonders.” The visual of the pristine, remote and largely untouched river provided a startling contrast to what he’s experienced on his many trips back to India and served as reminder of why we need to inspire change. “There needs to be a sincere effort to challenge beliefs and change habits around single-use plastic, because the integrity of our environment depends on it”. He says the issue of plastic consumption is absolutely critical and one that isn’t highlighted enough.
His fervent passion isn’t misplaced. Over the years, there has been a steady increase in the amount of plastic being consumed across the globe. Statistics suggest that worldwide shoppers now use over 500 billion single-use plastic bags per year. The Plastic Bottle Kayak initiative has come at a time when it is more imperative than ever that consumers make positive choices about the kinds of products they consume.
As Lal puts it, “The issue is that nobody is taking ownership of the problem.” The Fiji-Indian, University student has taken it upon herself to effect change. “I now find myself in a place, born within a generation and in a country where I can take action.” It was this sense of ownership that propelled Lal to kayak (often under harsh conditions) down the river and raise awareness for a cause she is passionate about. For her, the Plastic Bottle Kayak stands testament to the power of the youth in creating positive change.“this expedition has proved to me that there is no excuse for not taking action. It is our duty. As a Kiwi-Indian I know that I have the power to shape New Zealand.”
The efforts of Ravindran, Lal and the 13 other young Kiwis have been hugely fruitful. In addition to being picked up by several local news show, including Campbell Live and TVNZ breakfast, the project has garnered international attention with individuals from countries like Egypt and Brazil seeking to replicate their success. This kind of attention is a marker of the project’s success – which has managed to raise awareness about plastic consumption and bring this often overlooked environmental issue to the forefront.
Lal and Ravindran represent the new generation of change-driven and passionate Kiwi-Indians who don’t shy away from putting their money where their mouth is. As community leaders and activists they are acutely aware of the role they play in steering New Zealand towards a better future and have taken it upon themselves to lead through action.
A bunch of dynamic young New Zealanders are spreading the message of sustainability and environmental preservation through the first-of-its-kind initiative in NZ. “Use it as a vase” – that is probably the answer I’d give to someone if they asked me how to recycle a plastic bottle. For a bunch of...
A bunch of dynamic young New Zealanders are spreading the message of sustainability and environmental preservation through the first-of-its-kind initiative in NZ.
“Use it as a vase” – that is probably the answer I’d give to someone if they asked me how to recycle a plastic bottle. For a bunch of passionate and driven young New Zealanders though, that answer was something entirely different and unexpected...“build kayaks out of them”!
The Plastic Bottle Kayak project was the brainchild of Shruthi Vijaykumar and Daniel Cullum, who decided to combine their love for travel and their passion for sustainability by developing a venture that was the first of its kind in New Zealand – a journey down a river in plastic bottles. The project culminated in an expedition down the remote and pristine Whanganui river earlier this year over 3 days in May, with 15 young New Zealanders, amongst whom were proud Kiwi-Indians Ajay Ravindran (pictured) and Serena Sarika Lal.
Sustainability and environmental preservation have always been Ravindran’s foremost passions, who jumped at the opportunity to partake in this project. According to the Chennai-born 20 year old, single use plastics being dumped into water ways are challenging the image of clean & green New Zealand. “Being able to experience the Whanganui River on kayaks made out of plastic bottles helped me realise that it’s vital that we think more about our use of plastic. They are slowly killing our natural wonders.” The visual of the pristine, remote and largely untouched river provided a startling contrast to what he’s experienced on his many trips back to India and served as reminder of why we need to inspire change. “There needs to be a sincere effort to challenge beliefs and change habits around single-use plastic, because the integrity of our environment depends on it”. He says the issue of plastic consumption is absolutely critical and one that isn’t highlighted enough.
His fervent passion isn’t misplaced. Over the years, there has been a steady increase in the amount of plastic being consumed across the globe. Statistics suggest that worldwide shoppers now use over 500 billion single-use plastic bags per year. The Plastic Bottle Kayak initiative has come at a time when it is more imperative than ever that consumers make positive choices about the kinds of products they consume.
As Lal puts it, “The issue is that nobody is taking ownership of the problem.” The Fiji-Indian, University student has taken it upon herself to effect change. “I now find myself in a place, born within a generation and in a country where I can take action.” It was this sense of ownership that propelled Lal to kayak (often under harsh conditions) down the river and raise awareness for a cause she is passionate about. For her, the Plastic Bottle Kayak stands testament to the power of the youth in creating positive change.“this expedition has proved to me that there is no excuse for not taking action. It is our duty. As a Kiwi-Indian I know that I have the power to shape New Zealand.”
The efforts of Ravindran, Lal and the 13 other young Kiwis have been hugely fruitful. In addition to being picked up by several local news show, including Campbell Live and TVNZ breakfast, the project has garnered international attention with individuals from countries like Egypt and Brazil seeking to replicate their success. This kind of attention is a marker of the project’s success – which has managed to raise awareness about plastic consumption and bring this often overlooked environmental issue to the forefront.
Lal and Ravindran represent the new generation of change-driven and passionate Kiwi-Indians who don’t shy away from putting their money where their mouth is. As community leaders and activists they are acutely aware of the role they play in steering New Zealand towards a better future and have taken it upon themselves to lead through action.
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