A 14-year-old Burnaby teen creates new solution to help schools go green

Is it enough to recycle? Tomas Lang, 14, doesn't think so. As part of Ashoka Canada's Changemaker Challenge, Tomas has created a simple solution to reduce waste at his school. He’s launched a “library” for event organizers to borrow commonly-used materials such as plates and silverware. The Green Events Program also teaches organizers how to set up a waste management system to properly sort waste. Tomas hopes the program will be adopted by other schools so that all school events can become more sustainable.

The Green Events Program was one of six youth-led projects launched through the 2012 Changemaker Challenge in Vancouver. Participants from local schools took part in a daylong social innovation bootcamp, developed their project ideas and pitched to a panel of diverse leaders from multiple sectors. Each project was awarded $1,000 to implement their ideas.

The Changemaker Challenge in Vancouver is generously supported by Starbucks Canada.