Hira Green Team

Introduction

The Hira Core Green Team (Zero Waste to Landfill) was formed in 2018 to promote Solid Waste Management in the community. When the backwaters in our township became a dumping ground, garbage burning caused health and environmental problems, and the unbearable stench of rotting garbage, the concept of waste management was introduced to lessen waste-related challenges.

A great step toward implementing solid waste management in our township was the adoption of basic waste management system (2 bin 1 bag) by 9 of our Towers and the formation of respective tower green teams, outreach to their respective residents, holding awareness sessions for residents, domestic helps, and cooks, as well as training all housekeeping staff. The HIRA Organic Waste Converter plant and engaging an empanelled Garbage Vendor aided in the best possible disposal of wet, dry and reject waste.

The Green Team members of all towers representing Community Waste Management has initiated a number of campaigns in the community to encourage resident participation including recycling drives, clean-up campaigns, pond restoration, tree plantation, E-waste drives, and others. With the Reduce Reuse Recycle campaign, post-Diwali clean-up, the Green Team's participation at the Carnival, Year-end Recycle Drive, and the support of Committees organizing festivals, celebrations, and other social events in the community to adhere to the Solid Waste Management Protocol, this year has been especially eventful.

Together we can make a difference!

Event details and Description

Reduce,

Reuse,

Recyle Drive

23-29 March 2022

Depending on the requirement of the community.

In 2021 end of February 1 tonne of only EWaste was collected.

Collection of 1277.6kgs used cothes, 380 kgs footwear

and 560 kgs E-waste across all towers. Posters and

Videos made by children to create awareness for the

event. 2 day fun activities conducted around Responsible

Waste Management. Authorised vendors engaged for

collection of items.

Role during Ganesh Festival

1-10 September 2022 Yearly (started

before Covid)

Green team (GT) members from SW, PW, Bridgewood,

Birchwood, Brentwood, Oceanic,Sinovia,Tiana,& Amalfi

helped man the dustbins for 10 days to ensure Residents

segregated food waste responsibly. Excess food was

directed to homeless and hungry by standing there

coordinating the pickup well after the evening's

celebrations. Core GT requested Ganesh Team to use

biodegradale cutlery and plates and encouraged

residents to bring their own plates/vessel.

Also,coordinated collection of segregated waste by OWC

and an Authorised vendor the next day.

Guidance at Onam Celebration

11 September Yearly (started

this year)

Onam Team supported Green Team (GT) 100% by

following SWM protocol. Core GT coordinated collection

of segregated waste by OWC and an Authorised vendor

the next day.

Guidance for Dandiya Event

October 2022

First time Core GT shared SWM protocol with Dandiya Team to

ensure proper waste segregation process at the event.

Also coordinated collection of segregated waste by OWC

and an Authorised vendor the following day.

Post Diwali

Cleanup

25-27 October 2022 Yearly (this was the third year)

Hira gardeners and sweepers, children, few residents and

some GT members cleaned up the entire stretch of the

Panchayat road and behind Greenwood post Diwali. More

than 1000kgs of trash was filled into large bora bags and

collected by authorised waste vendor Wastewinn on 3

consecutive days. Core GT coordinated the pickup of

these bags.

Jeans Drive

12-16 November, 2022

First time Almost 140 jeans were collected from our community in

support of Nirvaan's (a New Delhi based boy) initiative to

collect jeans across the country and make sleeping bags

for the homeless during the bitter winter months.

For Kids By Kids

26th November, 2022

First time Bunch of children guided by the Core GT hosted a stall at

the Carnival this year. Calling themselves the Green

Rangers these kids conducted games based on Solid

Waste Management. Free saplings from our nursery and

goodie boxes from a kind resident were given away as

prizes. Teaser for the stall was created by the kids.

Year-End Recycle Drive

10-16 December, 2011

First time Children's clothes, story books and toys were collected

to give to our HK staff across towers. Excess was shared

with Hira Migrant workers' families, our waste vendor,

Wastewinn's families and with few famlies in Thiruporur

camps. Poster for the drive was created by a child.