HYDERABAD (India CSR): ITC Limited’s flagship solid waste management initiative, Wellbeing Out of Waste (WOW), celebrated the exceptional contributions of students and schools in advancing the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan through its Interschool Recycling Championship Awards Presentation Event. Held at Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium, Hyderabad, the event recognized the efforts of over 1 lakh students and 2,482 schools in promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Smt. Dr. T. K. Sreedevi, IAS, Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration, Government of Telangana, and Guests of Honour Sri EV Narasimha Reddy, IAS, and Sri Rajesh Ponnuru, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Limited – Paperboards & Specialty Papers Division.
Celebrating Sustainability Champions
The Interschool Recycling Championship (ISRC), a key component of ITC WOW, encourages students to embrace sustainability by practicing waste segregation at the source. The 2024-25 edition witnessed over 9.31 lakh students from southern India participate, collectively contributing 933 metric tons of dry recyclable waste.
At the awards ceremony, cultural performances by students highlighted their creativity and enthusiasm for environmental responsibility. A pivotal moment of the event was the Swachhata Pledge, led by the Chief Guest, where attendees reaffirmed their commitment to cleanliness and sustainable practices.
Speaking at the event, Sri Rajesh Ponnuru emphasized the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility in the younger generation:
“Swachh Bharat is about creating a clean and healthy environment for all. It’s heartening to see our future leaders actively engaging in waste management and recycling, paving the way for a sustainable India.”
Engaging Communities for Environmental Impact
The Championship has become a powerful platform for fostering collaboration among students, schools, and communities. It brought together government and private schools from various boards, including ICSE, CBSE, and SSC, promoting a shared vision of sustainability.
In Telangana alone, ITC WOW has impacted over 17.12 lakh households across 1,013 wards, amplifying its efforts to create clean, healthy neighborhoods.
ITC WOW: A Transformative Initiative
Since its launch in 2007, ITC WOW has emerged as one of India’s largest solid waste management awareness programs. It has:
- Engaged 69 lakh households and 67 lakh students across six states.
- Benefitted over 17,844 waste collectors and ragpickers.
- Recovered 65,000 metric tons of recyclable waste annually.
By actively promoting source segregation and resource recovery, the initiative also supports sustainable livelihoods for waste handlers.
Aligned with Global Sustainability Goals
ITC’s WOW program is part of its larger mission to drive a circular economy. As the only company to remain solid waste recycling positive for 17 consecutive years and plastic neutral since FY2022, ITC is a global leader in sustainability. The company aims to make 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2028, reducing its environmental footprint further.
A Greener Future Through Collaboration
The awards event served as a reminder of the collective responsibility required to achieve a cleaner, greener India. By recognizing the efforts of young changemakers, ITC WOW is inspiring a new generation to take bold steps toward environmental stewardship.
(India CSR)
