Held at the Kasturba Nagar Residents Association Hall, it was attended by more than 20 RWA representatives. Here are some of the issues raised by the residents:

• Discrepancies in the clearance of garden waste. Urbaser Sumeet clarified that much of such waste is dumped after the day’s clearance. However, they agreed to get it cleared at the earliest.
• Backup drivers do not cover all the routes. The Urbaser Sumeet team said that frequent training is given to the BOV drivers before going on the routes.
• Roadside bins are left in the middle of the road after clearance. Also, many times, the bins are not completely emptied. Frequent washing of bins is required. The Urbaser Sumeet team agreed to analyse the waste generation street-wise and ensure that garbage overflow doesn’t happen. Bins will be washed every fortnight.
• Lack of commitment from residents in waste segregation needs to be addressed.
• Illegal dumping of construction debris by residents. Urbaser Sumeet said that residents have to hand over such debris to the Corporation only (M/s Premier being the contractor).
• Maintain the Thiruvanmiyur beach. The Urbaser Sumeet team said that the beach is not under their purview and there is no specific manpower assigned for beach cleanup.

Participants expressed gratitude for the dedication of the staff, particularly during the rainy season, and applauded their efforts to maintain clean streets. The meeting concluded with commitments from Urbaser Sumeet to implement actionable solutions and maintain clear communication with residents for continuous improvement in waste management operations.

Urbaser Sumeet also shared the contact details:

• Complaints: 1800 5712 069
• Zonal Manager (Bhim Rao): 73050 35417
• Assistant Zonal Manager (Rathnam): 89255 22013
• Manager – IEC (Vignesh Ponnappan): 89255 22002
• Team Leader – IEC (Zone 13) (Muthamil): 89255 22506

The campaign kicked off in early July with ‘EduKids’, a special interactive session designed to teach school students the importance of keeping our city clean, and the critical role of segregating waste at its source. 

Subsequently, the community got together for a wall painting project, with a message on cleanliness and waste segregation. By the end of July, the walls had been transformed into vibrant murals, each one a reminder of the importance of caring for our surroundings.

The campaign’s grand finale was the ‘Vizhipunarvu Velli’, featuring lively street plays and educational presentations, on waste management and sustainable living, organised by Urbaser Sumeet’s IEC Department.

“The community’s response to the campaign was overwhelmingly positive. Many residents, moved by the campaign’s message, committed to improving their waste segregation practices. This initiative didn’t just educate—it fostered a deep sense of shared responsibility among the residents, encouraging them to take an active role in caring for their community’s environment,” said a statement from Urbaser Sumeet. For more information, contact V.R.Hari Balaji at 89255 22001.

Bisleri joined hands in the initiative by providing three heart-shaped PET bottle collecting bins for Elliot’s Beach and two for Marina under the ‘Bottles for Change’ initiative.

In this moment of misfortune, a spark of human kindness emerged. C. Balu, a dedicated driver of a battery-operated vehicle with Urbaser Sumeet, noticed the lost jewellery while segregating the waste. Recognising its significance beyond mere value, he acted with integrity and returned the gold chain to its rightful owner.

Kamakshi expressed deep gratitude to Balu and the Urbaser Sumeet team, praising their exceptional service and commitment to honesty. This act is a reminder that goodness often reveals itself in the simplest moments, through quiet gestures of integrity and care.

The event featured fashion outfits created by NIFT Chennai, meticulously styled by Naturals Salon, emphasizing environmental stewardship and highlighting the dignity of labour. 

Attendees experienced how fashion can powerfully communicate the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The showcase demonstrated sustainable fashion’s role in reducing the burden on our landfills.

The event honoured all professions, spotlighting the critical contributions of conservancy workers who maintain our city’s cleanliness and beauty, no matter the circumstances – weather or pandemic.

The then Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, IAS, stated that during November rains in Chennai, significant quantities of cloth waste and footwear are washed ashore during low tide. This phenomenon is a consequence of year-long illegal waste dumping into water bodies. During heavy rains, the accumulated waste is carried to the ocean near the Theosophical Society. 

Mr. Ignacio Albert Gleiser, MD, Urbaser stated that the event is the first seed sown for a clean and environmentally friendly Chennai, keeping in mind the future generations.

Mr. Mahmood Sait, CEO of Urbaser Sumeet encouraged citizens to donate pre-loved clothes or dispose of them separately without mixing with other waste, promote widespread recycling, and minimize the amount of fabric waste that reaches our landfills.

Prof. Dr. Anitha Mabel Manohar, Director of the National Institute of Fashion Technology expressed pride in showcasing the conservancy staff as models and emphasized the dignity of their labour.

During the event, the awardees shared their best practices, highlighting their dedication and innovative approaches to waste management and environmental conservation. The awardees are:

• Mr. Kuppan (Zone 11) spoke about his consistent practice of segregating waste and home composting, along with the advantages of maintaining a terrace garden for sustainable living.

“These shared practices not only celebrated the residents’ achievements but also inspired others to adopt similar eco-friendly practices in their daily lives. This initiative aligns with Urbaser Sumeet’s mission to foster a cleaner, greener Chennai and underscores the importance of community participation in achieving this goal,” said Urbaser Sumeet. Urbaser Sumeet’s senior management, including the CEO, attended the event.

Vanaja Krishnamurthy is a resident of Besant Nagar. Her services have been in an individual capacity, through Rotary International Dist 3232 and the Women’s India Association, of which she is a member.Urbaser Sumeet honours Green Ambassadors

Mahmood Sait, CEO of Urbaser Sumeet, stated, “All the necessary manpower and equipment were deployed as per plan to ensure both the beaches are clean and ready for the early morning walkers.”

At Marina Beach, the company deployed a comprehensive waste management system, including 61 compactor bins, 3 hook-loader bins and more than 250 dedicated conservancy staff working in different shifts. The total waste collected amounted to 75 tons.

At Elliots Beach, the company deployed 36 compactor bins, 1 hook-loader bin and 75 conservancy staff. A total of 15 tons of waste was collected.

To further enhance cleanliness efforts, continuous information, education, and communication (IEC) awareness was propagated through public address systems. Both citizens and beachside vendors were urged to avoid littering. Vendors, in particular, were encouraged to provide bins for their customers to dispose of waste responsibly.

The citizen commended Mr. Paulraj for his honesty and thanked the team for their quick response. For more information, contact V.R.Hari Balaji at 89255 22001.

This inspiring event is designed to foster creativity among Chennai’s youth, while imparting vital lessons on environmental consciousness through art and poetry. It was conducted in multiple schools in the city. Nearly 60 students from Chennai Corporation Primary and Higher Secondary School, Bharathidasan Street, Thiruvanmiyur participated, representing Zone 13. 

“Our collective goal is to educate the younger minds and upcoming generations regarding responsible Solid Waste Management; hence, our team has carefully curated this initiative not only highlighting the talents of students of Chennai Schools but also underscoring the collaborative spirit of Urbaser Sumeet and the Greater Chennai Corporation in nurturing these future generations to be environmentally responsible citizens,” said a statement from Urbaser Sumeet.