Setting an example, Arsha scores high in garbology

When Arsha Vidya Mandir celebrated its annual day on Saturday, there was song and dance with a difference. The students used the occasion to exhibit what they have been practising for two years: sustainable waste management on the campus to be an example to a city grappling with mounting garbage.

Called Clean Lab, the annual day brought together teams from various classes to explain innovative waste management methods through models, multi-media, music and drama. “When there is talk about Swachch Bharat, we are trying to do our bit and be an example to other schools,” said correspondent Nirmala Raja.

The initiative started two years ago when WasteLess, a team from Auroville introduced ‘Garbology 101’, an innovative teaching method of waste management, at the school. “We felt there is an urgent need to spread awareness about waste management, and what better way than training students,” said WasteLess co-founder Ribhu Vohra. Six schools in Chennai are among the 35 across the country that have incorporated ‘garbology’ in their curriculum.

Arsha Vidya Mandir conducted a waste audit two years ago and switched to a cyclic waste management system which segregates waste into eight categories — paper, medical, metal, mixed, glass, plastic, e-waste and organic waste. Srinidhi, a Class 9 student at AVM said, “Garbology 101 has taught me waste management in a very interesting way. I have been motivated to follow the cyclic waste management system.” Zeenath, who teaches ‘garbology’, said the school adopted practical learning methods, wherein high school students make weekly visits to composting farms and recycling factories.

The Times of India
Nov 1, 2015
Chennai, India