On Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 11:30 AM, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at Antonine University (UA), which continues to lay stress on how useful recycling is to save mother Earth and how extremely detrimental improper waste management is on the planet, organized an on-campus interactive awareness session on the benefits of recycling to help UA students, faculty and staff members, as well as the external community, demonstrate environmental consciousness and engage in eco-friendly activities.

Throughout his welcoming speech, the Vice Rector for Integral Human Development, Fr. Jean Al Alam, drew attention to how the University can contribute significantly to society’s effort to achieve sustainability and leave the world better for future generations. He also shared his interest in meaningfully implementing the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and effectively engaging the students for their own benefit and that of the community. He also highlighted that this session is an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between UA and STOP Plastique and intends to serve as a basis for jointly launching environmental activities and inspiring sustainable attitudes.

In their successive speeches, Ms. Eliane Edde, Founder and President of the STOP Plastique association, Mr. Elie Ghanem, representative of the Human Environmental Association for Development (HEAD) President Ms. Marie-Therese Merhej Seif, and Mr. Rami Sbeih, Co-founder of Plastc Lab, revealed new ways to recycle right and more, exposed the different types of recycling, and showed how many products can be made from recycled and upcycled materials. They dwelled on the mission of their organizations and the diversified projects aimed at promoting awareness on how to care for the environment. In fact, while STOP Plastique focused primarily on plastic pollution, the HEAD put emphasis on reforestation initiatives and beach clean-ups launched in conjunction with different municipalities in Lebanon. As for Plastc Lab, it explored the circular economy in detail.

Furthermore, members of the UA Green club from Hadat–Baabda and Nabi Ayla–Zahle campuses talked about its mission and shared the reasons for joining this club. They expressed their enthusiasm for supporting the cause of the University and turning UA into a green campus. Last but not least, the attendees were excited to sign the “Break Free From Plastic” flag which will be hung inside the University.