Report on the International WasteCon 2002

My name is Laura-Jane Airey and I entered into the Natal FFS Science Expo in 2002. My project was entitled ‘Industries’ Waste - A Soil Substitute?’. At Natal I received a Gold medal, a ‘First in Category’ medal and was chosen as best ‘up-and-coming’ scientist.

It was recommend to me to enter my project as a poster presentation for the International WasteCon 2002. Every entry was “peer reviewed” by experts and judged on professionalism, presentation and content. I was competing against 174 adults, who were professionals in their categories, for entry into the WasteCon 2002. I was accepted but at the time I didn’t realise what a ‘big thing’ it was.

I arrived at the ICC (in my school uniform) feeling very small. The whole of the first day was very overwhelming for this small fish. I registered, received my heavy bag and then made my way to Hall 1 for the Opening Plenary session.

The Deputy Mayor of Durban, Logan Naidoo; the Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Narend Singh; and the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, were all present to give the International WasteCon 2002 an official opening.

After the opening session there were presentations by Mr. R Lombard (South Africa), Dr TA Fasheun (South Africa) and Ms L Iskandar (Egypt) who presented a Milestone paper and Keynote addresses respectively pertaining to waste disposal and management in their particular countries.

On the second day there were presentations by Mr. J Ball (South Africa), Mr. HD Robinson (United Kingdom) and Dr A Muntoni (Italy) who spoke on the minimum requirements needed in waste disposal and different methods of waste disposal, respectively.

On the third day there were presentations by Prof. GE Blight (South Africa), Mrs. JE Lombard (South Africa) and Dr A Karamat (Austria) who spoke on leachate production, the waste management renaissance and UN regulations of waste disposal respectively.

During the lunches (which was most delicious) on all three days, a number of people came and spoke to me about my poster. I was congratulated on presenting my poster as a number of poster-papers had been submitted and only a few were chosen for presentation. I was also congratulated on my courage, as I was the youngest person and the only high school student there.

After the lunches there were five different parallel sessions each pertaining to different aspects of Waste Management. These consisted of speakers from different countries presenting some of their findings. These presentations were very enlightening and there were some interesting debates after each presentation.

Overall, despite being very overwhelmed in the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a wonderful experience and it taught me many things about the “wonderful” world of adults. I am grateful for the opportunity that I was given.

I would like to thank you for putting me on the WasteCon path in 2001 and for giving me the opportunity to dream bigger and do more through Science Expo. I didn’t realise that I could compete in an adult world until I entered the International WasteCon 2002 and as young adults we need to realise that.

Laura-Jane Airey
St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls