ROKA (Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association) conducted their 9th waste collection drive on July 13 and 14 at the KNRA Hall, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar. With a footfall of over 400, they collected over 7.6 tonnes of unwanted items that could be recycled.
ROKA collected e-waste, books, toys, divine pictures, unbroken glassware, pillows and mattresses, clothes, bags and footwear, at the event. The event was organised by Urban Ocean in partnership with ROKA and recyclers – Wasted 360 Solutions and Recycle Mart. It was conducted across three locations – Adyar (by ROKA), Thiruvanmiyur (By residents of Dr.Radhakrishnan Nagar, Malaviya Avenue, Sivakamipuram and Marundeeswarar Nagar) and Velachery (On Axis Green Consulting Pvt. Ltd.). Seven communities from across the city also joined the drive by collecting the items at their venues as well. The communities are: Radiance Mercury (Perumbakkam), Ceedeeyes (Velachery), Jains Sasvat (Adambakkam), Ceebros 174 (MRC Nagar), Trellis (Vadapalani), Kottur Gardens (Kotturpuram), Karpagam Garden (Adyar).
The event also hosted sustainable counters: Miracle Enzyme displayed bio-enzymes; Nilayaan showcased their composting options; Vaishnavi Venkatesh, a resident of Kamaraj Avenue set up a counter to start a ‘Swap not Shop’ group, where interested people can post about their requirements (especially for trendy clothes) or items that they want to give out.
The Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) also stationed the ‘Lakes on Wheels’ to raise awareness about water pollution and the necessity to save our water reserves.
The highlight of the event however was the street play put up by FEETS and a skit composed, directed and performed by the children of Kasturba Nagar, which highlighted the necessity of adopting solid waste management (SWM) in our lives and burst the myths associated with it. Contact ROKA at 86674 99135; [email protected], to know more about the drive and get further notification about such drives happening in the city.