Principal Anoop K. (far right) with students and staff next to the plastic roof of Mayanad AUP School in Kozhikode. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
The plastic roof is the latest attraction at Mayanad Aided UP School in Kozhikode these days. Every student and school staff are proud of it, they consider it the result of their work.
The roof of the school’s new 7,000 sq ft auditorium/assembly hall was built using tiles made from recycled plastic for which students and school staff conducted a district-wide massive collection called ‘Plasticin punarjanmam’ throughout the year.
“Initially we planned to use roofing sheets. But the knowledge of recycled plastic building materials changed our plan,” said Anoop K., the principal of the school who spearheaded the project.
MP Babu, chairman of a private firm and supporter of the school, agreed to provide his company’s services to the school at a subsidized rate if it made the raw materials available.
The project was launched by Ahammad Devarkovil, MLA and Mayor Beena Philip during the District School Arts Festival 2024. The school authorities put in a lot of effort to implement the project as a large amount of plastic was required for the purpose. They collected all the plastic waste that was available at festival venues like the District School Art Festival and the State Special Olympics. The Deputy Director of Education has given the school special permission to collect plastic waste from schools across the district.
Besides, Sargaalaya Art and Craft Village in Iringal, UL Cyber Park and various factories in the district have joined the initiative. And more than 900 bags of plastic waste were sent to the company to be shaped into roof tiles.
“Our efforts have created awareness about waste management at least in the neighborhood. The public now understands that plastic has value and should not be thrown away,” said Mr. Anoop.
The project helped the school bag win many awards, including the ‘Haritha Vidyalayam’ award from the State Pollution Control Board and also from the Kozhikode Corporation. The project was also presented at the 2024 Suchitwa Mission Sanitation Conference.
Published – 28 October 2025 20:30 IST
