By Ola Alhaj
Plastic pollution has been one of my core concerns since founding Reco, Syria’s first youth-led initiative addressing plastic pollution, environmental sustainability and green education.
Living in a conflict-affected region, I’ve seen how unmanaged waste and plastic pollution harm not just the planet but also the most vulnerable—children.
My campaigns have focused on empowering youth and communities to take action, whether through cleanups, policy advocacy, or education programs.
I find hope in the rising awareness of plastic’s impact on health, especially in regions like mine, where pollution directly threatens communities.
Ola Alhaj, 24-year-old, Syria
One of the most impactful experiences I had was a workshop I led for children. I realized their ability to grasp the severity of the plastic crisis was profound. They shared innovative ideas, from creating artwork with recycled materials to forming teams to clean their neighborhoods.
This reinforced my belief that children are not just victims of this crisis—they are powerful agents of change.
I find hope in the rising awareness of plastic’s impact on health, especially in regions like mine, where pollution directly threatens communities.
My vision is for a world where every child knows their voice matters and where leaders collaborate to implement circular economy solutions.
By focusing on youth engagement and policy reform, I aim to create a future where plastic pollution is no longer an environmental tragedy.
