On World Wildlife Conservation Day, Cheltenham Muscat School and Oman Sail proudly achieved a new Guinness World Records™ title for the 'Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence.' This initiative aims to spotlight the global issue of plastic waste and underscore the imperative for collective efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
The endeavor took place over two days in the school Sports Hall, involving five weeks of collecting household bottles, beach and wadi clean-ups, and receiving significant support from the local community, including contributions from local hotels and the Environment Society of Oman. Simultaneously, Cheltenham Muscat School officially launched its international conservation program, "Project Earthlings," with the 'Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence' spelling out 'Project Earthlings has launched from Oman!'
Oona Carlin, the Executive Principal of Cheltenham Muscat School, shared, 'It has been a wonderful community event and achievement to break a prestigious Guinness World Records™ title on World Wildlife Conservation Day. Cheltenham Muscat School pupils, staff, and parents, along with Oman Sail and the wider community, have worked together to raise awareness of the challenges and dangers of plastic waste and to launch the ambitious school initiative called "Project Earthlings." Our pupils are conservation-savvy; they are concerned about their environment and protecting it for future generations, and "Project Earthlings" will allow them to be involved and make a real difference.'
Executive Principal Oona Carlin and Oman Sail CEO Dr. Khamis Al Jabri received the official certificate from Mr. Pravin Patel, Guinness World Records™ Adjudicator, at a ceremony attended by the Guest of Honour H.E. Sheikh Khalid Bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council. Mr. Patel expressed his delight at returning to the beautiful Sultanate of Oman, reminiscing about Oman Sail's previous Guinness World Record™ title in 2021 for the 'Most Nationalities Collecting Litter.'
The existing record for the 'Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence' was 11,939, achieved in Mumbai, India, on October 10, 2022. Mr. Patel commented, 'Cheltenham Muscat School and Oman Sail didn't just reach their goal of 24,000 bottles; they obliterated it, with 32,316 bottles placed. The largest letter was the "O" in Oman, consisting of 1,613 plastic bottles. It's extremely topical that Cheltenham Muscat and Oman Sail have achieved this Guinness World Records™ title with Dubai currently hosting the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28.'
Dr. Khamis Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, 'This is a great achievement for a very worthy cause. Oman is blessed with a wonderful landscape and is home to several rare species of wildlife, but there is a huge risk that this is spoiled by dangerous materials entering the ecosystem. To raise awareness of the dangers of plastic waste and achieve a new world record for Oman is an important message for the local community and the world. We must continue to do all we can to recycle, dispose of our waste appropriately, and protect our natural environment.'
Expressing gratitude to the Cheltenham Muscat School staff, students, and Oman Sail team, Dr. Al Jabri affirmed their commitment to championing this cause. 'We will persist in our efforts to create a more sustainable and responsible future for the community and our nation,' he added.
On this special day, Cheltenham Muscat School and Oman Sail extend their gratitude to their pupils, families, teachers, staff, sailors, and the local community for their unwavering support and remind everyone to reduce, reuse, and recycle.