The Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Goes Green on this “world sustainability day”

By- Hansika Goswami

On the eve of World Sustainability Day, which is commemorated on October 26, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) started the “Punch the Plastic” campaign in New Delhi. IIT Madras employees, teachers, and students have organized a “Sustainable Campus Collective” drive as part of the initiative. The campaign aims to increase campus inhabitants’ understanding of trash segregation and reduce their use of water and energy. On this occasion, the IIT Madras has organized three significant events: the Punch the Plastic Drive, the Monkey Proof Food Waste Dustbin Hackathon, and the Sustainability Champions Contest.

Professor Indumathi Nambi, Faculty Advisor, Sustainable Campus Collective, IIT Madras, commented on the launch of the “Punch the Plastic” campaign, saying,

“We believe that every member of the IIT Madras community should contribute their part and strengthen the administration’s efforts towards making the campus the best in the country in terms of practicing sustainability.”

According to him, this initiative intends to make IIT Madras a truly sustainable campus in three ways: 

• having zero waste
• a low carbon footprint
• a low water impact

Hostels, academic and residential areas, places of worship, businesses, and schools are all included in the effort. It promotes voluntary participation from all participants, including residents, staff, academics, students, and contract workers who support the initiative, Mr. Nambi continued.

Prof. Ligy Philip spoke on institute initiatives for recycling wastewater and a potential bio-methanation facility for food waste in order to emphasize the significance of these initiatives. “In order to extend its influence outside campus, the Institute also plans to organize competitions amongst schools, dorms, academic zones, and residential areas. These contests will undoubtedly inspire all on-campus residents to embrace and use the concept of sustainability in their daily lives “said a release from IIT Madras”.

Prof. Ligy Philip elaborated on institute initiatives in wastewater recycling and a proposed bio-methanation facility for food waste in order to highlight the significance of these initiatives. “The Institute also wants to extend its influence beyond the university by holding tournaments in schools, dorms, academic areas, and residential zones. All on-campus inhabitants would be strongly encouraged by these competitions to internalize and apply the concept of sustainability to their daily lives “IIT Madras stated in a release.