Whether you’re a large institution or a small community, a zero-waste campus is achievable. With the right intention and will, a sustainable transformation is within reach.
A Zero Waste Campus, following the principles of Solid Waste Management rules 2016, ensures that all single-use items are ZERO meaning completely banned. It does not mean that waste is not generated or plastic free campus.
The “W” in the Waste symbolizes for the WET-REJECT-DRY.
Doodle by Divya
By dropping the waste in the right bin, waste recovery is optimized. Thereafter Dry waste can be categorized into 34 types, from high-value items like A4 paper, newspapers, and cardboard, to lower-quality materials like multilayer plastic (MLPs), thermocol, glass pieces, bed linens, and paper scraps.
While high-quality waste yields more revenue, low-quality waste also generates considerable value when managed with the right practices and processes are implemented. Instituitons who have implementing this model not only create revenue streams but have also even achieved profitability.
Our Zero Waste Journey: A Ripple of Transformation
It all began when Vedan organised a volunteering activity to paint the walls of Madiwala Market. Among the volunteers was a lecturer from Krupanidhi College, who, moved by the experience, recommended Waste Management Initiative to the Chairman and CEO OF Cambridge Institute of Technology (CIT). Their passion for sustainable practices and supporters of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inspired to make a difference.
The CIT leadership reached out to Vedan, seeking support to eliminate the blackspots around the college surroundings. This moment of resolve sparked a greater ambition: to make their own campus a model of zero waste.
It was then, the college was made to realize the importance of “Practice what we Preach” and decided to first tackle waste management challenges within the college. This embarked the journey of Zero Waste Campus in CIT under the guidance of Vedan and also facilitated a proof of concept by studying the college and established best waste management practices to be implemented in the campus.
The college bagged Special Award by the First CSR Film Festival, “Best Waste Management” award at CII Conference of Indian Industries 2023 and received an Appreciation Letter by the Town Municipal Council (TMC), Moodbidire. Chairman of the College, Mr. DK Mohan was awarded the Greenprenuer – Sustainability Trend Setter Award by Vyapaar Jagat.
The impact of CIT’s commitment rippled outward, catching the attention of the TMC in Moodbidire. Inspired by the college’s transformation, TMC committed to a zero-waste policy within its own office. Believing in the power of example, they began their own journey to demonstrate that sustainable change begins within. before extending the campaign to the public. TMC Office soon turned into a Zero Waste Office which bagged recognition by the DMA Office and Awarded for Best Practices 2021-2022, Zero Waste Office.
Vedan facilitated an event where TMC, Moodbidire invited CEO of CIT College who addressed and inspired heads of government and private educational institutions.
Awareness sessions and workshops were conducted and as a ripple effect 8 institutions turned into zero waste campuses. The momentum continued to grow and Swachha Belaku, a 7R Project, recognized CIT’s model as a simple yet effective approach to waste reduction. With this endorsement, the Zero Waste Campus concept was presented to the Joint Commissioner of the BBMP in Yelahanka Zone, gaining swift approval and support.
This collaboration with BBMP has since launched a wave of sustainable change, with campuses across the Yelahanka zone committing to a zero-waste future.
GHPS Kattigenahalli is the championing school for Zero Waste Campus. Their hard work has inspired multiple schools around them to go Zero Waste! The students understand waste as a responsibility, not a burden, laying the foundation for long-term behavioural change at household and community levels.
At Cambridge Institute of Technology, Vedan worked closely with students, faculty, and the management to demonstrate how Zero Waste principles can be integrated into a large campus ecosystem. It was our testing ground and the initiative focused on awareness, source segregation, and institutional responsibility, positioning the campus as a living example of how educational institutions can drive sustainability beyond classrooms.
At Vedan, we don’t just manage problems — we redesign systems, empower communities, and create models that continue long after we leave. Your support helps scale solutions that are practical, measurable, and replicable.
