Two students at Harvard Westlake are turning plastic waste into a promise for a cleaner world. The KNX Helpful Honda Heroes of the Week are making a difference, one container at a time!
Precious Plastic Youth LA is a collaboration of people who are passionate about fixing the plastic waste problem around the globe, and slowing climate change. The program is run by high school seniors Lana Lim and Michael Miyajima!
"I think the spark for the fire was when I was in grade school, and I saw a documentary about environmentalism," explains Lana. "More specifically, it was about how animals were going extinct. It kind of freaked me out! I was like 'holy moly!' I really felt like the world was ending. There's this crazy climate change stuff that I've never heard about before, and it kind of hit me like a truck. So, I was trying to figure out how I could fix this environmental problem."
Lana took her idea to classmate Michael, who has the same passion about saving the planet.
"I was interested in marine animals," says Michael. "I kept seeing this problem about the great garbage patch. I've always thought of different ways I could impact that problem."
Together, Lana and Michael created a program that educates the community on how to recycle and upcycle plastic products. They also host mobile workshops for schools, senior groups and people of all ages.
Lana and Michael recently bought a machine that shreds the plastic into tiny pieces that can be melted and reshaped into new, usable products. "I've heard somebody compare it to making new Crayons from Crayon shavings," explains Lana. "That's actually, pretty much what it does!"
"We take the plastic flakes that we've shredded - the machines heat it and melt it, [and then it] goes into the molds. [Then] we have new plastic products! We've made small bowls, and little sea animals for charms that can be used in jewelry or keychains."
The pieces are impressive!
"In the future, as we get better and more efficient with creating these products, I think we can definitely sell [them.] I think it'd be great if we could donate our proceeds to a greater organization, that can get more work done," says Lana.
"We want to motivate the youth to fight the pollution crisis directly," remarks Michael. "And, maybe we can expand this to be a deterrent to pollution, while cheaper, less environmentally damaging materials are developed."
Harvard Westlake High School seniors Lana Lim and Michael Miyajima of Precious Plastic Youth LA are our KNX Heroes of the Week!
Connect with Lana and Michael through their website at: https://www.preciousplasticyouthla.com/ or, visit their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/creating-mobile-recycling-workshop-for-LA-Youth
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes! Go to https://www.crc.com/ for more information.
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