Muscat: On World Wildlife Conservation Day, Cheltenham Muscat school and Oman Sail have successfully achieved a new Guinness World Records™ title for the "Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence". This remarkable initiative was undertaken to raise awareness about the pressing global problem of plastic waste and highlight the importance of collective efforts in reducing, reusing, and recycling.
The endeavor took place over a span of two days in the school Sports Hall and required five weeks of dedicated efforts in collecting plastic bottles from households, cleaning up beaches and wadis. The local community, including local hotels and the Environment Society of Oman, provided immense support, making this achievement possible.
Cheltenham Muscat school has officially launched its international conservation program, known as "Project Earthlings," while simultaneously setting a new Guinness World Records™ title. The program was inaugurated with a unique activity called the "Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence," which spelled out the message "Project Earthlings has launched from Oman!" This event, held on World Wildlife Conservation Day, brought together the school's pupils, staff, parents, as well as Oman Sail and the wider community. The aim was to raise awareness about the challenges and dangers of plastic waste and to kickstart the school's ambitious initiative, "Project Earthlings." Oona Carlin, the Executive Principal of Cheltenham Muscat school, expressed her delight at the success of the event, emphasizing the importance of involving the students in conservation efforts and empowering them to make a positive impact on the environment for future generations.
Oona Carlin, the Executive Principal of Cheltenham Muscat school, and Dr. Khamis Al Jabri, the CEO of Oman Sail, were presented with the official certificate by Mr. Pravin Patel, the Guinness World Records™ Adjudicator. The ceremony was graced by the presence of H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Hilal Al Maawali, the Chairman of the Shura Council. Mr. Patel expressed his joy at returning to the beautiful Sultanate of Oman and fondly recalled Oman Sail's previous Guinness World Record™ achievement in 2021 for the "Most Nationalities Collecting Litter."
The previous record for the "Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence" was 11,939, set in Mumbai, India, on October 10, 2022. Mr. Patel remarked, "Cheltenham Muscat school and Oman Sail not only reached their goal of 24,000 bottles but surpassed it by placing 32,316 bottles. The largest letter, 'O,' in Oman was formed using 1,613 plastic bottles. It is particularly relevant that Cheltenham Muscat and Oman Sail have achieved this Guinness World Records™ title as Dubai is currently hosting the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28."
Dr. Khamis Al Jabri, the CEO of Oman Sail, expressed, "This is a significant accomplishment for a noble cause. Oman is blessed with a magnificent landscape and is home to several endangered species. However, there is a significant risk of this beauty being marred by hazardous materials entering the ecosystem. By raising awareness about the perils of plastic waste and setting a new world record for Oman, we are sending an important message to the local community and the world. We must continue to recycle, dispose of waste responsibly, and protect our natural environment."
Dr. Al Jabri extended his gratitude to the staff, students, and Oman Sail team at Cheltenham Muscat School and reaffirmed their dedication to championing this cause. He added, "We will persist in our efforts to create a more sustainable and responsible future for our community and our nation."
