Why it is the solution?
By advancing plastic biodegradation techniques, promoting awareness, and educating future generations, we contribute to saving the lives of countless animal and plant species affected by plastic pollution. Plants suffer from microplastic contamination in the soil, while animals ingest plastic found in landfill sites.
Annually, the world produces over 400 million tons of plastic, with half being single-use plastics used briefly. In 2021, Kazakhstan recycled just 132,000 tons of plastic waste, a mere 21.9% of the country's annual plastic waste production, according to UNDP data (2023).
What are SDGs?
Recognizing the interconnectedness of global issues like poverty, hunger, disease, and environmental degradation, world leaders came together to create the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to encourage a more inclusive, intentional, and adaptable approach, with the objective of utilizing inventive, impactful, and easily accessible solutions to create a positive outcome for all.
17
The importance of these goals is evident: irresponsible consumption leads to a multitude of environmental, healthcare, and economic problems. Preserving life on land is essential due to the numerous adverse effects of human activity on the environment, which directly impacts all species. Furthermore, quality education is not only the most powerful tool for addressing these problems but also a key factor in shaping the future of humanity. As a result, we have been contributing to the achievement of these goals through our main project, lab work, and human practices. We have explored both the positive and negative impacts of our project on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that represent different fields.
Responsible Consumption
The goal of 'Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns' is to promote responsible and safe practices.[6] Irresponsible use of natural resources and waste generation contributes to significant environmental, economic, political, and other challenges.
Firstly, we narrowed our plan to support the goal 12 (Responsible Consumption) by choosing targets: 12.5 Substantially reduce waste generation and 12.8 Promote universal understanding of sustainable lifestyles.
After conducting a survey involving 5,000 residents of Kazakhstan, focused on the issue of "Plastic pollution in the modern world", we found that 90% of respondents frequently use plastic and polyethylene in their daily lives and, unfortunately, only 23% of them practice garbage sorting. Furthermore, a significant 90% of respondents were unaware of the existing recycling facilities for plastic, plastic, and PET bottles, although 53% expressed a desire to learn more about such establishments. That indicates a problems with consumption and waste habits among people in Kazakhstan. Hence, our actions were done in order to substantially reduce the amount of waste that comes from not deep understanding of sustainable consumption management.
What is target 12.5?
“By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse”. [7] Specifically, this target represents the approach to decrease the significant amount of waste that comes from the irresponsible consumption and production via preventing the production , reduction of of useless and harmful for the environment waste production by human actions, its recycling and reuse, to give a second life to things that will be useful without polluting our planet.
Although our main project specifies on biodegradation of PET, we also should act in order to reduce the waste generation because it is the cause of land pollution not an effect.
Impact on target 12.5
We were deeply committed to tackling the significant issue of waste generation in our country. To address this problem effectively, we embarked on a mission to find practical solutions. We harnessed the power of both words and actions to combat the escalating problem of waste generation. As a result, we organized two large-scale recycling collections, amassing a total of over 1210 kg of recyclable materials. We then ensured that all collected items were sent for recycling, promoting a message that anyone can and should contribute to saving our planet from plastic pollution. To enhance the effectiveness of our promotion, we partnered with more than 20 organizations to sponsor prizes for those who participated in collecting and sending recyclables. This initiative aimed to highlight that the reduction of waste generation is not only vital for the environment but also a profitable endeavor, encouraging everyone to take responsibility for their actions.
What is target 12.8?
“By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse”. [7] Specifically, this target represents the approach to decrease the significant amount of waste that comes from the irresponsible consumption and production via preventing the production , reduction of of useless and harmful for the environment waste production by human actions, its recycling and reuse, to give a second life to things that will be useful without polluting our planet.
Although our main project specifies on biodegradation of PET, we also should act in order to reduce the waste generation because it is the cause of land pollution not an effect.
Impact on target 12.8
We were deeply committed to tackling the significant issue of waste generation in our country. To address this problem effectively, we embarked on a mission to find practical solutions. We harnessed the power of both words and actions to combat the escalating problem of waste generation. As a result, we organized two large-scale recycling collections, amassing a total of over 1210 kg of recyclable materials. We then ensured that all collected items were sent for recycling, promoting a message that anyone can and should contribute to saving our planet from plastic pollution. To enhance the effectiveness of our promotion, we partnered with more than 20 organizations to sponsor prizes for those who participated in collecting and sending recyclables. This initiative aimed to highlight that the reduction of waste generation is not only vital for the environment but also a profitable endeavor, encouraging everyone to take responsibility for their actions.
Stakeholders
The importance of these goals is evident: irresponsible consumption leads to a multitude of environmental, healthcare, and economic problems. Preserving life on land is essential due to the numerous adverse effects of human activity on the environment, which directly impacts all species. Furthermore, quality education is not only the most powerful tool for addressing these problems but also a key factor in shaping the future of humanity. As a result, we have been contributing to the achievement of these goals through our main project, lab work, and human practices. We have explored both the positive and negative impacts of our project on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that represent different fields.
Life on Land
The primary objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land, include protecting, restoring, and promoting terrestrial ecosystems, ensuring sustainable use and management of forests, combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation.[4] These efforts aim to reduce biodiversity loss caused by human activities.
For Goal 15, 'Life on Land,' we focused on Target 15.1, which aims to conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Plastic pollution, especially PET (commonly found in water bottles and food packaging), poses a significant threat to plant and animal species. PET is durable but slow to break down, leading to environmental pollution. This pollution damages ecosystems, results in the ingestion of microplastics by animal species, and more.
Our aim is to develop an efficient system for decomposing plastic waste. This project aims to preserve the natural habitat of flora and fauna in Central Asia and reduce the damage caused by PET pollution on land.
What is target 15.1?
‘Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.’.[5] This target aims to safeguard terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems from the environmental harm caused by human activities, with a focus on conserving and restoring them when necessary. Our project identified this target as crucial to address the negative outcomes of increased plastic pollution on terrestrial life.
Impact on target 15.1
We were deeply committed to tackling the significant issue of waste generation in our country. To address this problem effectively, we embarked on a mission to find practical solutions. We harnessed the power of both words and actions to combat the escalating problem of waste generation. As a result, we organized two large-scale recycling collections, amassing a total of over 1210 kg of recyclable materials. We then ensured that all collected items were sent for recycling, promoting a message that anyone can and should contribute to saving our planet from plastic pollution. To enhance the effectiveness of our promotion, we partnered with more than 20 organizations to sponsor prizes for those who participated in collecting and sending recyclables. This initiative aimed to highlight that the reduction of waste generation is not only vital for the environment but also a profitable endeavor, encouraging everyone to take responsibility for their actions.
Stakeholders
The importance of these goals is evident: irresponsible consumption leads to a multitude of environmental, healthcare, and economic problems. Preserving life on land is essential due to the numerous adverse effects of human activity on the environment, which directly impacts all species. Furthermore, quality education is not only the most powerful tool for addressing these problems but also a key factor in shaping the future of humanity. As a result, we have been contributing to the achievement of these goals through our main project, lab work, and human practices. We have explored both the positive and negative impacts of our project on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that represent different fields.
Quality Education
The primary goal of Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education, is to ensure inclusive and equitable access to high-quality education while fostering lifelong learning opportunities for all.[1] SDG 4 aims to provide inclusive, high-quality education to improve the standard of living for learners and contribute to the future of communities.
For our commitment to Quality Education, we have chosen to focus on achieving targets 4.3 (Equal access to affordable technical, vocational, and higher education) and 4.5 (Eliminate all discrimination in education). This decision stems from the pressing need in our country, and beyond, for educational materials in different languages, particularly in Central Asian languages, as well as inclusive resources for individuals with disabilities. To address this gap, we have gathered our forces to create accessible learning resources on synthetic biology in the Kazakh language and for individuals with visual impairments.
For example, on YouTube, there is a noticeable absence of educational videos on synthetic biology, even though the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of schools for two years. Moreover, in our city, which is the third largest in the country, and in Almaty, considered the second largest, very few people are aware of IGEM. Despite efforts with professors, students, and others, there is limited awareness. Furthermore, inclusive education is still in its developmental stages in our region. Unfortunately, Shymkent has only one facility for people with visual impairments and one for deaf children, providing physical and mental support as well as educational resources. The mission is to ensure equal opportunities for individuals with various disabilities that impact their learning processes, including those who cannot attend traditional schools and those who are self-studying, while also providing schools with suitable resources related to synthetic biology.
What is target 4-3?
‘’By 2030 ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university’’.[2] "This target primarily means the provision of equal access for everyone to a vast amount of educational resources. Therefore, the main focus of this target is to provide equal educational opportunities for everyone through the improvement of an accessible resource base.
To address the issue of the limited availability of educational materials about synthetic biology in our country and contribute to its global solution, we have decided to concentrate our efforts on this target.".
Impact on target 4-3
We were deeply committed to tackling the significant issue of waste generation in our country. To address this problem effectively, we embarked on a mission to find practical solutions. We harnessed the power of both words and actions to combat the escalating problem of waste generation. As a result, we organized two large-scale recycling collections, amassing a total of over 1210 kg of recyclable materials. We then ensured that all collected items were sent for recycling, promoting a message that anyone can and should contribute to saving our planet from plastic pollution. To enhance the effectiveness of our promotion, we partnered with more than 20 organizations to sponsor prizes for those who participated in collecting and sending recyclables. This initiative aimed to highlight that the reduction of waste generation is not only vital for the environment but also a profitable endeavor, encouraging everyone to take responsibility for their actions.
What is target 4-5?
“By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse”. [7] Specifically, this target represents the approach to decrease the significant amount of waste that comes from the irresponsible consumption and production via preventing the production , reduction of of useless and harmful for the environment waste production by human actions, its recycling and reuse, to give a second life to things that will be useful without polluting our planet.
Although our main project specifies on biodegradation of PET, we also should act in order to reduce the waste generation because it is the cause of land pollution not an effect.
Impact on target 4-5
‘’By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations’’.[3] The aim of this target is to eliminate inequality and discrimination in education for all groups..
In accordance with this approach we started to fight with discrimination in educational field and make learning accessible for everyone!.
Stakeholders
The importance of these goals is evident: irresponsible consumption leads to a multitude of environmental, healthcare, and economic problems. Preserving life on land is essential due to the numerous adverse effects of human activity on the environment, which directly impacts all species. Furthermore, quality education is not only the most powerful tool for addressing these problems but also a key factor in shaping the future of humanity. As a result, we have been contributing to the achievement of these goals through our main project, lab work, and human practices. We have explored both the positive and negative impacts of our project on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that represent different fields.
Impact on other goals
To fully implement our work, we needed to understand all the potential consequences, both harmful and beneficial, of our actions.
Goal 9
Our work in the field of education positively contributes to Goal 9, 'Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.' By educating youth about science, its practical application, and the potential to effect positive change in the world, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovators, influencers, and activists in STEM and other fields. This new generation, aware of the importance of their contributions to humanity and environmental preservation, will play a crucial role in advancing these fields.
Goals 5 10 17
Specifically, our books and educational materials have a beneficial impact on several goals. They promote Goal 5, 'Gender Equality,' by encouraging both women and men to pursue STEM education and showcasing examples of how both genders can equally contribute to society and the environment. This also positively influences Goal 10, 'Reduced Inequalities,' by addressing discrimination in education and science, as described in our impact on Target 4.5. Moreover, our efforts align with Goal 17, 'Partnership for the Goals,' by encouraging collaborative work, team projects, and engagement with governments to create a better world together.
Goals 6 and 3
Our main project significantly contributes to Goal 6, 'Clean Water and Sanitation,' by addressing the issue of plastic degradation and promoting responsible consumption. By reducing microplastic pollution in the rivers and lakes of our country, we improve water quality and positively impact the well-being and health of people, as a substantial portion of the water people consume comes from these water reservoirs.