21-04-2025
Nearly 60% of residents in Kastruba Nagar segregate waste thanks to ‘We Segregate' initiative
'We Segregate', an initiative that is being implemented at Kasturba Nagar in Chennai since 2023, has been reshaping waste segregation and recycling practices among residents. Nearly 60% of them now segregate waste and contribute to the processing of organic waste.
This is owing to the project by Chennai Resilience Centre (CRC), a voluntary organisation, and Okapi Research and Advisory, along with the Residents of Kasturba Association (ROKA). Janani Venkitesh, ROKA's secretary, said residents were being encouraged to do three-way waste segregation at the household level. In October 2023, 37% of household segregated their waste. This has increased to nearly 60% now. 'We have managed to divert 7,000 kg of organic waste and 400 kg of soft plastic from reaching dump yards since 2023. On an average, about 220 kg of compost is produced every month using three community composters,' she said.
Besides residents, compost is now being sourced by some farms on East Coast Road. Residents from areas, such as Kotturpuram and Velachery, evinced interest to replicate the lane composting model.
Representatives of CRC and Okapi recently met Chennai South MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian and presented a report highlighting key projects and achievements. Krishna Mohan, chief resilience officer, CRC, said the MP expressed interest in several ongoing initiatives such as 'We Segregate' and 'Street Vendor Resilience Programme', which aimed to protect vendors from climate-related challenges. The collaboration and mentorship would help them scale up the ongoing initiatives and adhere better to State-level policy goals.
On the collaboration, Ms. Thamizhachi said: 'I see immense potential in CRC's efforts to address the city's pressing urban challenges through community-led, sustainable solutions. I shall extend my support to strengthen CRC's collaborations with government agencies and civic bodies, ensuring that initiatives receive the institutional support they need. Our shared goal is to build a more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient Chennai, one neighbourhood at a time.'
Noting that CRC was working with the Greater Chennai Corporation on the programme for street vendors, Mr. Krishna Mohan said a location had been identified near the Thiruvanmiyur beach to develop a model food vending street. This may be replicated to benefit other vendors, including those from the fishing community, through collaboration with the Chennai South MP's team.
