‘If civilization has risen from the Stone Age, it can rise again from the Wastepaper Age.’ ~Jacques Barzun, The House of Intellect, 1959.
To read more about our work in climate change adaptation, please visit the SEPLAA Climate Resilience Think Tank.
Focus in 2010: The SEPLAA Recycled Water Bottles for Flood Victims Campaign.
Environment projects 2010-2015:
- Interactive Environment Workshops for children.
- Recycled Water Bottles for Flood Victims Campaign 2010
The SEPLAA Recycled Water Bottles for Flood Victims’ Campaign
August 2010-November 2010
A Unique Cost Effective Drive to help the Flood Victims!
What the Campaign was about:
It was about collecting empty water, coke/ pepsi, juice bottles; washing them very well; filling them with filtered water and then putting a Health sticker on top. This method was used to provide clean drinking water to flood victims during the months of August, September and October.
How long did it last?
It lasted over 2 months.
How many people were involved in it?
Over one hundred students and well wishers from various schools, universities, restaurants and homes.
Who did this help?
It helped the flood affected people nearKarachi, Muzaffargarh, Noshera,Rawalpindi/Islamabadand Wah.
Were other relief groups involved in this Campaign?
Yes, our Campaign Teams gave filled water bottles every weekend for over 8 Saturdays to Edhi Collection Centres in Karachi and Rawalpindi. Some bottles were also given to the Army. The last stock of filled water bottles from Lahore was given to the Express Helpline Trust.
How many bottles were eventually collected, filled and dispatched to the flood victims?
Over 6,200.
“When Pindi heard about the SEPLAA Recycled Plastic Bottles for Flood Victims Campaign going on in Lahore and Karachi, it really did not see it fit to not follow suit. With Khadija Ali and Nameerah Hameed as the campaign managers, the city got into action. In the last few weeks of August, theRawalpindi Campaign team started gathering volunteers and campaign officers to collect plastic bottles. They included young enthusiastic people from diverse backgrounds such as those with full time jobs, some from public and others from private universities, Beaconhouse (BEC) A’levels, and an especially young volunteer from Froebels Pindi. “Nameerah Hameed, ‘SEPLAA Recycled Water Bottles for Flood Victims Campaign’ Manager, Rawalpindi.
The Islamabad campaign was the last one to be initiated and began just before Eid. A beautiful temporary enclosure was built as a dropoff point at Pappasallis, where the owner and staff were extremely helpful. In spite of the short notice, on the 9th of September enthused volunteers Hashim Akbar, Usman Mir, Kumayl Sarwar and Ahmed Ali Rai helped in filling and depositing 126 bottles, 5 5-litre containers and 4 jerry cans at the Edhi Home in H-8.” Madeeha Ansari, SEPLAA Water Bottles Camapign Manager, Islamabad
“I believe that an idea is worth millions. If SEPLAA’s idea of just using empty bottles for the flood victims can work then any idea can spread like wildfire if it is innovative and if one has belief in it and follow it passionately.”– Syed Kashif ul Hasnain- SEPLAA Campaign Manager, Lahore.
“The campaign managers would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way possible. They would also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to SEPLAA for involving volunteers to help in the flood relief efforts! It was great to see such a great turn out for the flood relief efforts in the city.”-Nameerah Hameed- SEPLAA Campaign Manager, Rawalpindi.
“The Karachi Team collected, washed and refilled a total of 2380 bottles. The local target goal for the Karachiteam was 2000 and we are extremely pleased to have donated more than we were aiming for. More than anything else, this campaign has taught us to rely on our own resources however meager they may seem and to do as much as possible to make a difference in the lives of our fellow countrymen.”-Madiha Riaz- SEPLAA Campaign Manager, Karachi.
“The campaign managers would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way possible. They would also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to SEPLAA for involving volunteers to help in the flood relief efforts! It was great to see such a great turn out for the flood relief efforts in the city.”-Nameerah Hameed- SEPLAA Campaign Manager, Rawalpindi