Collegians join plastic disposal drive in pune

A city-based NGO, the Academic Advisor, initiated the project in colleges from September 17. 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.”