Collegians join plastic disposal drive in Pune

Large numbers of students of Vidya Bhavan College of Commerce (Wanavdi), Fergusson College and Nowrosjee Wadia College of Commerce and Arts have joined a drive to dispose of plastic in the city under the National Service Scheme (NSS) mission.

A city-based NGO, the Academic Advisor, initiated the project in colleges from September 17. Its founder, Susan Raj, told DNA that such a campaign would enable students to play a role in safe disposal of plastic.

“Plastic disposal has become a major issue in the city. With the enthusiasm and energy that the students are showing, the cause will be addressed in a large way,” Raj said.

Students have been asked to collect plastic waste from their homes and neighbourhood and bring it every second Saturday to their respective colleges, from where organisations like Indian Plastic Association will buy it for
recycling.

“Students are also paid Rs15 to Rs20 per kg of plastic waste collected as it encourages them to sustain the exercise,” she said.

The project has been incorporated into the external project that the students are supposed to undergo as part of their compulsory environmental science (EVS) paper. “EVS is a compulsory subject for college students. As a part of project work, they do undertake various tasks every year. Plastic disposal surely fits the bill,” Raj said.

“We collect plastic waste right from gutka wrappers to milk pouches. In the first week, we collected 17.5 kg that we have sent for recycling,” said Ajay Shibu, a first year student of Vidya Bhavan College of Commerce.

The college authorities too are supporting the cause. Fergusson College principal, Ravindrasinh G Pardeshi said, “It is difficult to discard the use of plastics altogether from our daily lives. But, by disposing it through such drives, we can minimise the hazards caused by it.”

Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) incharge of solid waste management, Pramod Yadav said, “Though legislation regarding usage of plastic was introduced, the implementation has not been proper. In such circumstances, if citizens themselves take the responsibility, then it minimises the management’s work.”