March 2025

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH

Empowering Pourakarmikas:

Strengthening the Pillars of a Cleaner City!! 

-Story of NSA

Project Repurpose - OSB India:

Over the last six months, we trained women from Koramangala 4th Block through the OSB programme, where they learned how to make a variety of upcycled products. Their hard work and creativity were proudly showcased at a 3-hour stall set up at the OSB office. A total of 49 women participated, and the event saw sales cross ₹10,000— a true testament to their dedication and talent.

Want to purchase these products or be a part of this initiative? Contact us at 93532 18818!

Transforming Schools Through Veeraru Engagement – Esper:

Last month, we held a heartfelt felicitation programme for 21 students who had successfully passed out, celebrating their journey and achievements. Around the same time, with the invaluable support of Vasuki Sir and team, we also planted a vibrant garden and set up composting stations at the school. We are proud to see the students learn and improve over the last three months, actively engaging with the space and taking steps toward better environmental practices. We were also joined by employees from Esper during the garden setup, making it a truly collaborative and meaningful effort.

Infrastructure Upgrades:

• Set up a garden.

• Made the school Wi-Fi friendly by providing them with extensive Wi-Fi access for a year.

• Set up waste segregation bins

Namma Swachha Adugodi (NSA) – Bosch:

SWM in the Community

As shared in our previous newsletter, this CSR initiative by Bosch is being implemented in collaboration with LBTC, Saahas, and BBMP. The Adugodi community is divided into 14 blocks, with this year’s focus on 3 blocks.

Empowering Pourakarmikas:

On a mission to deepen Pourakarmika's understanding of sustainable waste management, a full-day training and exposure visit was organized from 10 AM to 5 PM, bringing together 28 key field stakeholders.

At Swachha Graha Kalika Kendra (SGKK), participants witnessed live composting demos, learned practical do’s & don’ts from expert Mr. Vasuki, and explored sustainable living tips shared by Ms. Swetha.

The journey continued to Saahas Zero Waste’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where participants gained first-hand insights into dry waste segregation, pelletization, and the critical role of source segregation in effective recycling.

Repair Campaign:

We’re thrilled to share the success of our recent Repair Events aimed at promoting a culture of reuse and waste reduction. With support from BBMP, who generously provided event space from 10 AM to 4 PM, and van announcements spreading the word in advance, the community responded with great enthusiasm!

Over five events, 534 residents brought in items like clothes, shoes, zippers, knives, and bicycles for on-the-spot repair. The joy of fixing over discarding was visible, and many participants expressed eagerness for more such events.

Cleanathon

As part of the NSA initiative, we in the 1st Block of Koramangala carried out a Cleanathon over the course of three weeks, during which we successfully cleaned and transformed a 50-meter wall. Sahas also conducted a Cleanathon in their respective block, contributing to the collective effort toward a cleaner and more vibrant neighborhood.

Domlur Government School Transformation - Arrow Electronics:

The Dumlur Government School Transformation Project is an initiative we’ve taken up in collaboration with Arrow Electronics. We've been working on this project for over a year now. The school itself is housed in a building that dates back to 1938. Last year, we focused on essential repairs — we made the building rainproof, fixed damaged windows, carried out major infrastructure upgrades, and added computers to improve learning conditions. 

This year, we turned our attention to another building on the school premises that was beyond repair. Since it couldn't be revived, we’ve started demolishing it and are now in the process of constructing an entirely new building with six classrooms. On the 26th of March, the leadership team from Arrow flew in from abroad to visit the school and review the progress made so far. The event concluded with a heartwarming showcase by the school children, where they displayed their talents, followed by a small stationery kit distribution.

Plogrun

On the 9th of March, we organized a plog run on Church Street in collaboration with Unbox Bengaluru. With the support of over 10 dedicated volunteers, we collected more than 35 kilograms of waste in just 2 hours—right in the heart of the city. It was a small step toward a cleaner Bengaluru, and we’re grateful to everyone who joined us in making it happen! 

Erudition Time:

Types of plastic

We use plastic every day—but did you know there are different types of plastic, each with its own purpose? Here's a quick look at the main types:

Types of Plastic (1–7):

1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate):

Used in water bottles, food containers. Recyclable.

2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene):

Found in milk jugs, detergent bottles. Strong and recyclable.

3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride):

Used in pipes, wires. Durable, but hard to recycle.

4. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene):

Used in plastic bags, wraps. Flexible, limited recycling.

5. PP (Polypropylene):

Used in straws, caps, food containers. Heat-resistant, recyclable.

6. PS (Polystyrene):

Found in disposable cups, foam. Lightweight, not eco-friendly.

7. Other (Miscellaneous):

Includes polycarbonate, bioplastics. Mixed uses, recycling varies.