Turning Trash into Treasure: Desks from Discarded Plastic

In northwestern Venezuela, a unique initiative is revitalizing education by turning discarded plastic into school desks. El Zulia Recicla, a local foundation based in Maracaibo, has successfully transformed piles of waste into 160 refurbished desks.

Aiming to combat educational and environmental issues, the foundation repairs damaged metal frames and replaces missing parts with plastic panels crafted in its workshop. 'We show people that the desks they use today can be restored,' said Nicolino Bracho, the group's research director.

Already, 20 desks have been delivered to Ramon Reinoso Nunez School, where students had lacked proper seating. The initiative, funded partly by the French embassy, plans to provide 200 desks to 10 schools in vulnerable areas, enhancing sustainability awareness among the community.