HIGHLIGHT of the month
Two unrelated Aroras become Riddles Champs- Yamini and Ram
Plogruns
During World Environment Week, multiple corporations approached us to organize employee engagement activities under their CSR initiatives. We collaborated with MBRDI, Western Digital, and Sony India to arrange plogruns. These events aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by our sanitation workers (Pourakarmikas) who diligently maintain the cleanliness of our city.
Date | Name of the corporate | No of employees | Amount of waste collected | Location |
June 4 | Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) | 60+ | 250+kgs | Agara LAke |
June 5 | Western Digital | 150+ | 360+kgs | WD office surroundings |
June 7 | Sony India | 14+ | 60+kgs | Sony India office Surrounding |
The waste collected during the plogruns conducted with various organizations provided us insights into the varying behavioral patterns of people across different areas.
For example, during the plogrun organized with Mercedes-Benz at Agara lake, volunteers collected syringes (some with blood in them), broken beer bottles, used baby diapers, and small pieces of gutkha packets. Similarly, the plogrun with Western Digital near their office resulted in the collection of broken beer bottles, construction debris, and other items. The plogrun conducted with Sony India around their office area yielded soiled plastics, cigarette butts, and gutkha packets.
The primary goal of these plogruns is to encourage responsible waste disposal practices and to demonstrate how each individual's effort in picking up litter can positively impact our city.
Intel Cloth Repurpose Drive
We collaborated with Intel to organize a clothe repurpose drive at their campus on June 5th and 6th. The primary goal of this initiative was to foster a sense of responsibility among individuals regarding the pressing issue of textile waste, encouraging them to embrace a low-waste lifestyle and sustainable fashion practices. Over two days, 15 Intel employees participated in the event, donating their old or damaged clothing items that they no longer needed.
The drive was organized across three rooms: a donation room where clothes were collected, a room for making coasters, and another for crafting bags from old T-shirts. Volunteers learned to repurpose their garments creatively, crafting various types of bags suited to their personal needs.
The drive which lasted two days, resulted in the collection of over 12 kgs of textile waste. This textile waste was used by the participants to make bags of their choice and donate the rest of the clothes, contributing significantly to our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
Additionally, we set up an educational stall to enlighten volunteers about the detrimental impact of fast fashion on our environment. The entire event proved to be both informative and enjoyable, with volunteers expressing a newfound awareness and commitment to altering their consumption habits and lifestyles.
Operation Repurpose- BSK 2nd Stage
On June 8th, Operation Repurpose conducted phase two of its collection drive for the residents of Banashankari 2nd stage. Residents eagerly gathered to drop off their collected waste at the designated location and to explore sustainable products available at our pop-up store. The event aimed to encourage community participation in recycling efforts while promoting environmentally friendly shopping choices.
The collected waste was then given to the local gujri angadi/ raddiwala/ dry waste collectors (15kgs) and nearly 118kgs of dry and recyclable waste was given to Ecocrew for further processing and recycling.
We would like to thank all the interns from PES University, namely- Ankitha, Diya, Ramya, Hithashree, Rakshitha, Yuktha, Shashank, Sanjitha and Guransh, for all their efforts in making Operation Repurpose a huge success!
A special shoutout to Rhea from Christ University and Ankitha from PES University for making this reel on Operation Repurpose- watch here!
Download the Ecocrew App for Dry Waste pick up from the comfort of your homes at your time of comfort.
Re-survey at Low-income communities
On June 10th, a follow-up survey was conducted to assess waste segregation practices in our adopted low-income community in Mestripalya. The results revealed that a year later, residents continued to segregate waste regularly and integrated this practice into their daily routines.
After collecting and analyzing the survey data, winners were identified and rewarded with goodies to acknowledge their commitment and encourage them to sustain their efforts.
Talk on Plastics
Ms. Renuka, our Green Educator, recently gave an online talk at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, MG Railway Colony on 12 of June. The discussion focused on the topic of plastic and its detrimental impact on the environment. It was an engaging and interactive session during which students learned about the importance of reducing plastic usage, recycling methods, the various grades of plastics, and the environmental consequences of plastic use.
Domlur School Transformation
On June 14th, our team met with MLA N. A. Haris to provide an update on the development of Domlur School's transformation. During the meeting, we sought approval for the planned demolition of an existing structure and the subsequent construction of a new block behind the heritage building. This initiative aims to enhance our facilities while preserving the historical significance of the site.
Giving a new perspective to Swacha Graha Kalika Kendra (SGKK)
SGKK, the first of its kind in India, serves as a Learning Center dedicated to composting kitchen and garden waste. It features over 20 models for home and community composting, along with a fully operational Biogas Plant. Visitors to SGKK are educated on utilizing compost to cultivate chemical-free vegetables and greens, offering a unique experience that attracts visitors from Bangalore and overseas.
On June 16th, LBTC, in collaboration with SWMRT, HSR Citizen Forum, and The Indian Ploggers Army, organized a cleanathon aimed at beautifying 'Swachagraha Kalika Kendra' (SGKK), making it more appealing to visitors. A total of 15 volunteers joined hands to paint the shed and the entrance fence within four hours, giving a new perspective to the Swacha Graha Kalika Kendra.
Capacity Building Workshop by Bosch
On June 22nd, Bosch organized a Capacity Building workshop attended by over 40 of their NGO partners. The workshop provided valuable insights into financial and HR management, as well as statutory compliance requirements for audits conducted by Grant Thornton. Additionally, a dedicated segment highlighted various strategies for NGOs to leverage Bosch's branding initiatives effectively. This collaborative effort aimed to strengthen operational capabilities and promote sustainable partnerships within the NGO community.
Workshop with Nature Classrooms
On 30 June, Team LBTC conducted a 2-hour workshop at Cubbon Park for nature educators in collaboration with Nature Classrooms, tackling Bengaluru's waste woes!
Here's what we covered:
Waste Warrior Training: We played a game to master the art of sorting everyday waste!
Bengaluru's Waste Challenges: Discussed common issues like garbage dumps, no segregation, missed collections and overflowing landfills.
Know Your BBMP Heroes: Learned how to connect with Health Inspectors, Marshals & Pourakarmikas who keep our city clean.
Beyond BBMP: Explored solutions for areas outside BBMP jurisdiction and how active citizens can solve the problem of waste in their locality.
Answers for Riddles for May month
1. I grow each day with what you discard, a mountain of waste, built yard by yard. Buried beneath, out of sight and mind, but the problem I pose, you’ll surely find. What am I?
A- Landfill
2. I capture what falls from the sky, stored and saved for times dry. With me, your garden will thrive, collecting from nature's dive.
A- Rainwater Harvesting
3. I’m the habit that reduces your load, turning off, unplugging, lightening your abode. efficiency is my goal, in reducing your energy toll.
A- Energy Conservation
4. I’m used once, then thrown away, but there’s a better choice you could display. Made from glass, metal, or bamboo, I’m the zero waste option for you.
A- Reusable steel bottle
5. I’m small and round, often tossed, but recycling me should be embossed. Though tiny, in numbers I grow, and in landfills, my waste does show
A- Plastic bottle cap
6. I’m the choice that’s better for our land, durable, washable, always on hand. I replace something flimsy and thin, single-use plastic, I help you win.
A- Reusable bags
7. I’m made of leftovers, scraps, and green, turn me in a pile, and nutrients will be seen. brown and green layers are the key, to make a gardener's delight, who am I to be?
A- Compost
8. I’m a friendly way to travel far, no gas is required, just pedal power. What am I?
A- Bicycle
Erudition Time!
Following the theme for this year's World Environment Day, here are some pointers on land restoration
Land restoration refers to the process of halting degradation or rehabilitating degraded land, typically through activities like reforestation, soil conservation, and the protection of natural processes.
Restoring land can have numerous benefits, such as improving soil fertility, increasing water retention, and preventing land degradation. It also helps in conserving biodiversity by providing habitat for plants, animals, and microorganisms,
Restoration techniques vary depending on the type and extent of land degradation and the needs of local communities. They can involve measures like planting native vegetation, implementing sustainable land management practices, establishing protected areas, and adopting agroforestry systems to restore soil health and productivity.
Healthy soils act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Nearly 80 percent of the carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems is found in soils. Restoring degraded lands can help sequester carbon, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to global efforts for climate change mitigation.
Involving local communities in restoration efforts ensures their participation, empowers them with sustainable livelihoods, and strengthens their connection to the land, leading to long-term success and resilience in land restoration projects.
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