Turning The Tide on Plastic Waste: An Afternoon of storytelling, community and impact

D&R Greenway Land Trust is joining with Classroom of Hope to present an afternoon of storytelling on the power of environmental stewardship at the Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 21. Samples of Indonesian cuisine will be shared as participants learn about an impactful program that turns recycled plastic into building blocks for schools in Indonesia.  Tanya Armstrong, visiting CEO from Classroom of Hope, is here for Climate Week NYC.  A donation of $15 is requested, $25 for a family. Register by September 15 to drgreenway.org.  Parking is limited, please carpool if possible.

After the 2018 Lombok earthquakes in Indonesia destroyed 400 schools and disrupted 50,000 children’s education, Classroom of Hope launched Block Schools— combining earthquake resilience with sustainability. The schools are built from recycled plastic blocks, that are locally made and interlock like Lego plastic blocks.These innovative blocks move together during seismic events to prevent collapse.  Utilizing plastic from the 600,000 tons that enter the ocean from Indonesia each year, the building blocks are non-toxic and meet fire-resistance standards. To date, Classroom of Hope has built 40 safe, sustainable Block Schools, including 150 classrooms and 65 toilets, providing a secure and reassuring environment, and restoring confidence for teachers and families, and most importantly for the thousands of students for generations to come who can now dream of brighter futures.

The afternoon will feature firsthand stories from Classroom of Hope’s community—parents, students, educators, construction workers, and government officials—performed by New York–based actors RJ Foster and Rivka Borak. Foster’s credits include Broadway (The Lehman Trilogy, Fat Ham, Home), Off-Broadway and television (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Elsbeth, The Good Fight, etc.). Borak, a classically trained actor, has performed Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally, with her most recent role in Eight Nights at Detroit Public Theater earning her the Wilde Award for Best Lead Actress.

Joining those voices are Award-winning BBC and National Geographic documentary filmmaker Nick Tanner, sharing excerpts from filming X-Ray Earth in Indonesia, including the first ever drone photography of the recently erupted Anak Krakatau ocean volcano. (“Prepare to be astounded,” The Daily Mail)

The Phillips Foundation, an Australian impact investor and long-time supporter of Classroom of Hope, will join to share their journey in advancing access to education and promoting sustainable development.

Guests will also enjoy authentic Indonesian cuisine prepared by Hardena, the acclaimed Philadelphia restaurant and James Beard Award honoree, immersing attendees in the flavors and culture of Indonesia.

Why This Matters Here in New Jersey

Plastic pollution and earthquakes are not just an issue ‘over there’—they affect our waterways, wildlife, and health here at home. As stewards of New Jersey’s land and waterways, D&R Greenway recognizes that protecting local landscapes is deeply connected to global environmental challenges. From the Delaware River to the Raritan Bay, safeguarding clean water and healthy ecosystems requires community action, care, and awareness of the global forces that shape our environment.

“This afternoon conversation provides New Jersey residents a chance to engage in a worldwide solution—linking local conservation with global impact,” says Linda Mead, D&R Greenway President and CEO. “This unique opportunity to see stories of local people performed by New York-based actors, and hear from the international CEO, will help us all understand the value of community to make a difference, and strengthen our shared mission to nurture our beautiful earth and generations to come.”

Together, let us reimagine the future—one bottle, one school, one community – and a few burasas — at a time.