The ZeroPlastic Colombo Community of the University of Colombo organized Nature Advocates, an environmental awareness project designed to introduce eco-friendly habits to nursery-aged children. The project was conducted in two phases at Mother’s Pride Nursery and Small Ones Nursery, both located in Homagama.

The project aimed to build early awareness of environmental responsibility among young children by teaching them simple, practical concepts related to waste management. By reaching children at the nursery level, the ZeroPlastic Colombo Community sought to encourage the development of environmentally conscious habits from an early age.

During the sessions, ZeroPlastic volunteers used child-friendly methods including storytelling, games, and interactive activities to communicate key environmental concepts. The children were introduced to waste segregation, the standard colour codes used for sorting waste, and the 3R concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The activities were designed to make these ideas accessible and understandable for a young audience, allowing the children to learn through participation rather than instruction alone.

The two-phase structure of the project enabled the volunteers to engage with children at both nurseries. Through the interactive format of the sessions, the children took part actively in the activities and developed a basic understanding of how everyday actions relate to waste and the environment. The approach allowed the young participants to connect with environmental ideas in a way that was appropriate for their age group.

Introducing environmental concepts at the nursery level holds particular value because it establishes a foundation of awareness that children can carry with them as they grow. By using play-based and story-based methods, the ZeroPlastic Colombo Community ensured that the learning experience was both meaningful and age-appropriate. Projects such as Nature Advocates demonstrate how environmental education…