Moscow, Russia—An environmental campaign called "Collecting Plastic Caps and Lids for Peace" was concluded on International Mother Earth Day 2017.
Thousands of plastic caps and lids that had been collected since December 2016 were used to create a giant map of the world on April 22, 2017. One hundred eighty-seven persons from more than 35 organizations took part in making the 25-square-meter map, kneeling on their hands and knees on the floor of the UPF-Russia Peace Embassy in southeast Moscow. The map can take its rightful place in the Guinness World Records book.
In addition to creating the world map, participants enjoyed a festive concert, and a variety of master classes (creating decorations from recycled materials, making flowers, creating a cake in the form of a star, and much more).
The initiator of the campaign in Russia was the international charitable foundation "Give Love to the World" with the support of the Moscow Region Ministry of Development and UPF-Russia.
Since December 2016, hundreds of people and organizations have joined the campaign, among them: schools, institutes, colleges, social institutions, rehabilitation centers, and companies. In addition to collecting many kilograms of plastic, the organizers have held dozens of meetings and eco-lessons, a drawing contest, and installations on the environmental theme. A book with the best drawings and fairy tales on the ecological theme is being prepared for publication.
An especially distinguished result was achieved by Institution No. 1392 (named for D.V. Ryabinkin), located in the township of Maryino, Filimonovsky settlement. The institution’s pupils, teachers, parents, and friends collected 17,890 plastic caps and lids!
Over 168 kilograms (more than 370 pounds) of plastic was brought for recycling to the company EcoTechIn. The money that is received in exchange for the collected plastic will be used for the rehabilitation of amputees—people like Margarita, who has only one hand and one leg but has a great desire to live a bright and happy life.
At the opening of the festival, the president of the Universal Peace Federation, Moscow chapter, Dmitry Samko, called for participants to support the Year of Ecology in Russia with such initiatives and to promote a healthy lifestyle among the young and active citizens, educating them in the spirit of "green culture" and ecology awareness. At the end of the "Green Saturday" the participants enjoyed a delicious cake that had been decorated to resemble a globe.