On Mar.22, over 200 students and NGO volunteers participated in a large-scale beach clean-up at Elliot’s Beach. The event saw nine colleges and an NGO competing to gather waste in biodegradable bags, with all collections weighed on-site.
A.M.Jain College won first prize of Rs.5,000 for collecting 190 kg of waste, followed by the University of Madras Commerce Department (165 kg) and Gojan School of Business and Technology (135 kg). Other participants included Presidency College, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and Scope Unbound NGO. The event was supported by Marvel Unisex Salon (cash awards sponsor), Rotary Club of Besant Nagar and Innerwheel Club of Madras Besant Nagar (refreshments), and Bisleri’s Bottles for Change (hydration partner).
Urbaser Sumeet and Greater Chennai Corporation organised this zero-waste initiative, ensuring all collected waste was responsibly disposed of.
Vanaja Krishnamurthy, from the Rotary club of Besant Nagar, said, “The students should make picking up litter and ensuring they don’t litter any public area a habit.” Jennifer and Joshua of Marvel Unisex Salon said, “Places like the beach give us a lot of peace and calm and it’s our turn to give back by keeping it clean.” Zonal Manager (zone 13) for Urbaser Sumeet, Bhim Rao said, “11000 staff of Urbaser Sumeet are working day and night to keep the city clean. The public should do their bit by keeping their surroundings clean.”
