As a child I remember being always reminded about the fact that my actions would affect me in one way or another. It was hammered into my head that there are no shortcuts in life, that I should always do things the proper way, even if it initially took more time and resources. Because at the end of the day, the result would be better and last longer. And looking back, I’ve noticed that by doing things right to start with meant that I actually saved time and money.

In today's society too many people go for the short-term so called ‘solutions.’

I don't like to call them solutions, cause they aren't in any way solutions. They just hide the issue for a while, but do not eliminate it.

During the last week my inbox was overflowing with messages about the new milk and fruit scheme. Before I tell you why, I wish to make it clear that I am very much in favour of such a scheme and I believe that children should get additional food at school to ensure that the less fortunate get what they need.

To cut a long story short, the tender for this nationwide scheme with milk and fruit for thousands of school kids included, and I quote the tender, “Vegetable and fruit portions shall be packaged in a clear container”. The same for the milk scheme, quoting; “The cartons shall have a perforation for a straw and shall come with a straw for drinking.”

So, at the same time as our educators of Malta do their utmost to teach the students about waste reduction and EU is pushing for phasing out single-use plastic, the ones behind this nationwide scheme for milk and fruit thought this was a good idea.

Where is the common sense? Since when does fruit even need a container and since when did all kids need a straw to drink. Plastic has only been around for some 50 years - how did we survive before that?

Since the end of last week I have been in contact with ministers and other key persons about this. I'm very hopeful that they will find a solution with the tender winners. I hope that Malta Dairy Products as well as James Caterers, together with the ministry behind the scheme, can find a solution to this and together come up with a nearly zero waste scheme.

When I was approached by educators and parents about the above incident, one thing struck me in particular: the children were the first to react to this. The kids were the ones saying that this was wrong, they were the ones refusing the straw because they didn't understand why one would need a straw when a reusable cup could be used instead.

You see, when a child understands the long-term effect of excessive use of plastic and material overall that later on will become waste, that is when it's time for us adults to feel ashamed.

We should feel ashamed that we didn't protect our children from it in the first place, with or without the EU advising us. We are the ones that should think our decisions through and make them sustainable for generations to come, not take decisions based on convenience for ourselves.

Kids are amazing and it's thanks to them I still have high hopes that we one day will see the Maltese environment thrive.

Some time ago I was approached by EkoSkola teachers Bernard Grixti and Johann Gatt. They invited me to join them at the Puttinu Cares Marathon held at Marsa Sports club. The kids in the EkoSkola committee had been lobbying against balloon releases and for the first time in 13 years, the process was ditched. Instead they had soap bubbles and a release of pigeons. Once again, this decision came from the kids. The kids understood the damage of mass balloon releases and approached Puttinu Cares and also came up with alternatives.

I spoke to the kids afterwards and they were all so intelligent and aware of their environment and the importance of keeping it clean. They told me that they think people like balloon releases because they are pretty with all the colours. What they also understood was that everything that goes up, must come down.

If these kids have no issue whatsoever with understanding the fact that releasing balloons is equal to littering and that plastic containers with fruit and milk with straw aren't necessary, then why do some adults not get it, particularly the people in power?

I hereby challenge all politicians to keep the children in mind in every single decision they take, because short-sighted decisions will in no way benefit the generations to come.

We do not inherit earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

Camilla Appelgren is an environmentalist