Statement of the Problem: In the face of what seems to be indefatigable evidence, the current debate surrounding climate change seems to center not on if human beings contribute to global warming, but rather on what should be done about it. To be sure, the proper redress of so mammoth a concern will require equally big—not wishful—thinking. Yet sustainable, scalable solutions often require an approach that favors a touch of the facile. In fact, truly pattern-breaking change frequently favors the road to parsimony.
With the road to parsimony in mind, suppose that one could create a mechanism for addressing a pressing environmental concern—the negative by-products associated with the manufacture of paper—that was easily transferable, inexpensive, and that raises awareness of environmental issues, while cleaning up a community that lacks adequate sanitation infrastructure, and generates income for those who participate? It almost sounds too good to be true—except that such a mechanism already exists.
Our Approach: Requiring little more than elbow grease and an accompaniment of tools already found in a typical village in rural India, Project Clean Slate conducts workshops that highlight the benefits of paper recycling, not out of a concern for climate change per say, but rather as a vehicle first for income generation, and second as a means for sharing information as to the importance of gathering and placing refuse in designated areas within a given community.
Broadly speaking, Project Clean Slate offers two-day workshops wherein participants—through a learning-by-doing process of education—are taught how to turn discarded paper products into recycled paper by hand. Participants then learn how to bind the recycled paper product into journals and postcards that can be sold for the community’s direct benefit.
By introducing the project as an income-generating activity, we are able to pique community interest, which then affords us the opportunity to discuss the importance of setting aside specific areas within a community for refuse from both a public health and ecological perspective. And while individually public health or the environment may not be strong enough incentive to motivate individuals to act, tying the two to a financial reward often is.
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Project Clean Slate