Sanaa Simon of Christ the King High School Wins the 13–17 Award for Most Creative Essay in the Global Recycling Day Competition

Sponsored by Tropical Adventures

 

Sanaa’s essay stood out to the judges for its thoughtful vision of how Antigua & Barbuda can tackle the growing issue of plastic waste by learning from successful environmental practices in other countries. Drawing inspiration from Sweden’s waste management systems, her essay explores how recycling incentives, stronger landfill regulations, and waste-to-energy solutions could help transform plastic waste from a problem into an opportunity.

Her work reflects a powerful idea: that with creativity, community participation, and responsible policies, Antigua & Barbuda can protect its natural beauty and build a cleaner future.

We are proud to share her essay below:

 

By Sanaa Simon, Christ the King High School – Winner, 13-17 Category (Most Creative Essay)

Antigua and Barbuda is polluted with enormous amounts of non-biodegradable waste and plastic that covers our fields, infrastructure and natural wonders. It has become such an issue that anywhere you look, there is some kind of plastic or trash in the corner. In cases such as these, it would be appropriate to take inspiration from a country that has overcome this issue, such as Sweden. In Sweden, around 1% of household waste ends up in landfills and nearly half of total waste is recycled or turned into energy. This essay will discuss how Antigua and Barbuda can use Sweden as an example to deal with waste reduction.

To start off, Sweden has high recycling rates, meaning approximately half of all household waste is recycled, with a separation of hazardous materials and electronic devices. Antigua and Barbuda could adopt this method by implementing a general recycling programme with incentives for those who participate, such as a small payment for every few pieces of plastic waste recycled and/or having a discount card programme for groceries or bills. This could encourage citizens to help clean up the community and recycle plastic and waste.

Additionally, introducing stricter landfill regulations could also help Antigua and Barbuda with waste management and reduction. In 2005, Sweden put forward a “landfill ban,” making it illegal to throw organic and combustible waste into landfills. We could take a page from their book by establishing tighter, stricter regulation policies. For example, ensuring landfill cells do not exceed their capacities and ensuring toxic waste materials, including landfill leachates, are properly disposed of, could ensure a cleaner future for Antigua and Barbuda.

Lastly, Sweden has a “waste-to-energy” system, meaning additional waste, like that which is left after the recycling process, is sent to be incinerated and turned into energy. Such energy is used to power homes and other buildings, which also reduces the reliance on fossil fuels as energy sources. Antigua and Barbuda could use this method to turn most of its litter and trash into power, which can bring benefits to the entire nation while preventing our natural wonders from becoming dump sites.

To conclude, implementing a solid recycling programme with added rewards for those who participate, stricter landfill regulations and policies, and using waste to fuel homes and buildings could help Antigua and Barbuda with its waste reduction, using Sweden as an example. Just as we can pride ourselves in being a nation with 365 beaches, we could also pride ourselves in being the cleanest country in the Caribbean.

With the public’s support and cooperation, the notion of a cleaner Antigua and Barbuda could be closer than we realize.  

 

Congratulations to Sanaa for her creative vision and contribution to the conversation about protecting the environment in Antigua & Barbuda.

We want to thank all students, teachers, and schools who participated in this year’s Global Recycling Day Essay Competition. Through initiatives like this, we hope to continue encouraging young people to think boldly, write confidently, and help shape a more sustainable future for our islands. We would also like to thank our Prize Sponsor, Tropical Adventures, for sponsoring Sanaa’s prize.