Who Are We?
Team Zero Waste is a group of 4 members, with plans to recruit more in the future. We are a volunteer-based organization, with a core team that is responsible for overseeing the work of our volunteers. Within the team, there are currently several subgroups focused on different areas, including web development, design, event planning and management, and collaboration. Our hierarchy consists of the organizational leaders, known as the OCs, followed by the core team members, and then the volunteers.
Our main goal is to achieve zero waste to landfill for our entire campus. We aim to reduce and properly segregate the waste produced within our institution, and to process it internally as well. In the past, we have focused on holding talk sessions and awareness campaigns to educate people about waste reduction. However, we are now shifting our focus to more hands-on projects. This includes collecting data on waste production and management within our campus, organizing it, presenting it to decision-makers, and implementing logistical efforts to achieve our zero waste goal.
What Have We Done So Far?
Team Zero Waste was founded in 2019 and has previously been affiliated with the ITC and Energy Club. Previous organizational leaders attempted to move the team under the umbrella of the Sustainability Cell, but it has remained independent so far. Our Faculty Advisor is Amit Sethi. The team was originally started by MTech and PhD students, but due to the impact of COVID-19, none of the original members remain active. Despite these challenges, the team continues to work towards its goal of promoting waste reduction on campus.
Some of our past projects include the development of leaf plates and a plastic shredder. While we have attempted to implement these initiatives, we have encountered logistical challenges. In the past, we have also successfully organized the distribution of collard cups (earthen cups) at a half marathon event. We continue to explore and develop new ideas for waste reduction projects.
What is our Vision?
Our long-term vision is to achieve zero waste to landfill and to process all waste produced within our institution. To this end, we have been working on the three-bin project, which involves reaching out to individuals and organizations who may be able to help us implement this initiative. Our plan is to develop a new strategy for the three-bin project and present it to the hostels on campus, with the ultimate goal of obtaining funding from the dean. For our plastic shredding project, we plan to create a detailed proposal outlining the materials, infrastructure, and other resources needed to build a prototype, and then work with relevant stakeholders to bring the project to fruition.
We eventually plan to build a team of around 20-30 members, with divisions focused on different projects and initiatives. We are transitioning from a focus on awareness and campaigns to a more hands-on approach, including the development and implementation of prototypes. One of the key challenges we face is changing the behavior of people on campus in order to reduce waste and increase sustainability. While we have access to existing technologies and solutions, many people are not willing to use them. In the future, we plan to prioritize projects with a more engineering-based approach, in the hope that this will help to overcome these challenges and encourage greater adoption of sustainable practices.
Who are we looking for, and what's in it for you?
As a team, we have gained a wide range of skills related to waste reduction and management. This includes specialized knowledge related to the various subgroups within the team, as well as more general skills such as planning, organization, and logistics. These skills are crucial for successfully developing and implementing projects and initiatives aimed at reducing waste and increasing sustainability.
In addition to our current projects, we are open to exploring any new opportunities related to waste segregation and reduction that may arise. We welcome volunteers who are interested in working with us on these initiatives, and are willing to take on any projects that are proposed within our institution.
Contact Us
If anyone has any questions or would like to get in touch with Team Zero Waste, they can reach out to the team via email at teamzerowaste.iitb@gmail.com or by phone at 9605688992.