By R.Swathi
The 11th waste collection drive by the Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association (ROKA) and Wasted 360 Solution proved to be a powerful testament to community action, collecting over 10 tonnes of waste across 10 venues in the city, attracting nearly 1,000 participants and collecting 10 categories of waste.
The two-day event (Sept.13 – 14) collected waste that included plastics, e-waste, clothes, books, glass bottles, footwear, cushions, tablet strips, pens, etc. “The items will be checked for their usability, and post repair they will be donated to NGOs or kept at the thrift store of Wasted 360 Solutions at T.Nagar. The unusable item would be sent for recycling,” explained a team member from Wasted 360 Solutions.
The venues in and around the Adyar neighbourhood included Kumara Rani Meena Muthaiah College (Adyar), RMSM Association: Public Gym (Sivagampirum, Thiruvanmiyur), Kazhani Native Farms (Kottivakkam), Apex Club of Velachery, Utopia World (Abhiramapuram).
More than just a collection point, the Adyar venue transformed into a hub for sustainability, hosting counters for watch and clothes repair, a thrift store (showcasing books, clothes, and repurposed apparel and accessories), eco products (bio-enzymes and soaps) from flower waste.
“We at ROKA believe that repair and reuse are at the core of sustainability and managing waste. Over the years, we observed that many people discarded items just because they didn’t have avenues for repair. Clothes are among the top in the list, with a huge potential for reuse. Thus, it made sense for us to have a repair section specifically for it,” explained Janani, Secretary of ROKA.
“At our waste collection drive, we also want to give a wholesome experience to the visitors, where we tell them about alternatives to single-use plastics, chemical-free and eco-friendly products. Most such items will take one back to our childhood, when our environment was much cleaner and greener,” elaborated Saranya, Treasurer of ROKA.
Volunteers from multiple colleges were buzzing at the event, amazed at the variety, quality and quantity of waste collected. “It is a different volunteering experience for me. The drive emphasised sustainability and gave a second life to items while making a positive social impact,” said Najima from SRM University, Kattankulathur, and Suhita from Stella Maris College.
“Inspired by the idea of turning waste into hope, I led my KRMMC family in a voluntary waste collection and sorting activity. It was a great opportunity to learn about proper waste separation and to work together for a meaningful cause. The day was filled with fun and teamwork, and it was a rewarding experience to contribute to our environment,” said an enthusiastic Ganesh.
As the festive season approaches, Team ROKA voiced their hope that people make conscious and sustainable purchase decisions, respecting nature—the very purpose of the celebration.
