True to the adage, teach them young, many city schools have put in place initiatives to create awareness among students about the importance of responsible handling and management of waste. Apart from teaching them that segregation of waste at source is the need of the hour, they have gone a step further by practising what they preach. The measures include enforcing strict rules against littering, and labelling dustbins for wet, dry, and electronic waste.
It’s not only private schools but also their government counterparts that have adopted zero-waste practices.
Composting in school
The Government Higher Primary School, Rajamahal Guttahalli, was established in 1935. The 70 students here (from class one to class seven) have been taught not just to segregate dry and wet waste, but principal Vasantha Kumari has ensured that they do not litter. Sometimes, older students assist the school helper. “We even started composting wet waste within the premises and use the compost in our garden,” said Ms. Kumari.
Importance of recycling
The 1,300 students in Vidya Niketan School at Hebbal Kempapura segregate waste diligently. The school’s dustbins are clearly labelled for dry, wet, and electronic waste. The school uses water recycled by a sewage treatment plant in its toilets and to nurture plants on the campus.
Principal Lalitha Desikan said there is very little waste that is actually generated in the school. “The milk packets and the little plastic waste we have are sent out for recycling while paper is reused as much as possible. Kitchen waste is composted in-house and the compost is used in our gardens,” she said, and added that these green initiatives have been in place for several years.
Lessons for life
Gopal Ramanarayan Government Model Primary School at Lottegollahalli has over 250 children studying from class one to class seven. Most of them belong to lower socio-economic groups. Faculty members have introduced a zero-tolerance rule for littering, and encourage children to help keep the premises clean.
During lunch time, children are taught to wash their hands and their plates themselves. “We teach the younger ones how to use the toilets and how to keep themselves tidy in the hope of them taking back these vital life lessons to their homes,” said a teacher.
Green ambassadors
Nirmala Rani High School at Malleswaram has been actively promoting activities that will create awareness among students about the importance of segregation of waste at source.
Juliet F. Lewis, teacher, said the school has chosen a few students to be green ambassadors. They go to each class and explain the need to segregate waste.
Recently, students observed Dry Waste Week, and were encouraged to bring in at least one recyclable item from their homes, such as old newspapers, books or milk packets.
Going beyond classroom
Linden Montessori, Hoodi, with the help of Green Utsav — an organisation that helps plan eco-friendly events, has ensured that all its events are green, and does not rely on disposable items, such as plastic cutlery and cardboard boxes.
Apart from setting up a low-cost composting system on the school premises, teachers take steps to ensure that children learn about responsible waste management by promoting the use of reusable cutlery and even decorations during various events in the school.
Swachh Survekshan: Schools, hotels identified
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is gearing up for the Swachh Survekshan, has identified schools, hotels and even hospitals in the city that have been responsibly managing the waste they generate.
Sandya Narayanan from the Solid Waste Management Round Table, who is working with the civic body to improve the city’s dismal rating under Swachh Bharat, said it was for the first time that the BBMP had undertaken such an exercise. As part of the survekshan, good performers have to be assessed on common parameters by the urban local body.
“There is a lot of work that is happening in the city with regard to solid waste management. The BBMP is now recognising these efforts and brining them under one umbrella,” she said, and admitted that the civic body got into the act a little late. “We will have to make a pitch to have an early start next year on,” she said.
