IITM launches ‘Punch the Plastic’ campaign to create awareness among campus residents

The drive takes into account hostels, academic zones, residential zones, places of worship, shops, and schools. 

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched ‘Punch the Plastic’ campaign on the eve of World Sustainability Day. Staff, faculty and students of IIT Madras have formed ‘Sustainable Campus Collective’ drive to raise awareness among the campus residents on waste segregation, reducing water and energy usage.  

The institute has launched three major events -- Punch the Plastic Drive, Monkey Proof Food Waste Dustbin Hackathon and Sustainability Champions Contest. Addressing the launch of ‘Punch the Plastic’ campaign, Prof Indumathi Nambi, Faculty Advisor, Sustainable Campus Collective, IIT Madras, said: “We believe that every individual in IIT Madras community should contribute their bit and strengthen the administration's efforts towards making the campus the best in the country in terms of practising sustainability.” 

Zero-waste campus with low water footprint objective behind drive  

The drive aims at making IIT Madras a truly sustainable campus in three aspects -- zero waste campus, low carbon and low water footprint, he said. "The drive takes into its fold hostels, academic zones, residential zones, places of worship, shops and schools. It encourages all students, staff, faculty, residents, school kids, supporting contract workers to voluntarily participate and make it successful,” Nambi added.  

Highlighting the importance of these initiatives, Prof Ligy Philip elaborated about institute initiatives in wastewater recycling and a proposed bio-methnation plant for food waste. “The institute also intends to organise competitions across schools, hostels, academic and residential zones and expand their reach beyond campus. These competitions will definitely encourage all residents on campus to internalise and implement the idea of sustainability in their everyday life,” IIT Madras said in a release. 

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