In 2026, the world finds itself at a turning point. The “Throwaway Age” has reached its peak, with microplastics silently infiltrating ecosystems, food systems, and even the human body. Against this urgent backdrop, “අපි for Earth: Become a Volunteering Ambassador”, held on January 18th at NIBM, emerged not just as a webinar, but as a call to action.
The session opened with Professor Erandathie Lokupitiya from the University of Colombo, who brought science to the forefront of the conversation. She unpacked the often-invisible dangers of microplastics, explaining how they disrupt soil health and weaken climate-regulating systems. Her message was clear and powerful: environmental health is no longer a distant concern, it is the foundation of human survival.
Building on this urgency, Mr. Nishshanka De Silva, Founder of the ZeroPlastic Movement, reframed volunteerism as a response to climate anxiety. He inspired students to step into the role of Change Ambassadors, showing how collective, grassroots action can influence policies, shift corporate behavior, and reshape communities from the ground up.
The bridge between sustainability and industry was showcased by Mr. Tharindu Bokanda of Eco-Spindles (Pvt) Ltd, who brought the circular economy to life. By demonstrating how discarded PET bottles are transformed into high-quality yarn for global fashion markets, he proved that sustainability is no longer an optional add-on, it is the engine of modern innovation.
Closing the session, Ms. Chalana Hansi Jayaweera of NIBM highlighted the power of communication. She reminded participants that meaningful change depends not only on technology and data, but on the ability to tell relatable, inclusive, and empowering sustainability stories that people can believe in and act upon.
Together, this multidisciplinary gathering of academics, volunteers, industry leaders, and educators became a beacon of hope. While the webinar marked the end of one chapter, it also signaled the beginning of “අපි for Earth 2.0”, a journey from conversation to real-world impact. At NIBM, the ZeroPlastic movement continues, inviting everyone to take part in shaping the Age of Responsibility.
