15000 children to take part in recycling meet - Deccan Chronicle, Chennai
June 22, 2012
Over 15000 children from city schools will participate in ITC Limited's grand event to commemorate the second year of National Recycling Day on July 1, at St. George's Anglo Indian School on Poonamallee High Road here.
The event is to teach children the significance of recycling and effective waste management. The WoW (wealth out of waste) programme, launched in April 2007, is to inculcate the habit of source segregation and recycling among the public, school children and corporate executives among others. Over 200 schools in Hyderabad under the WOW programme collect waste and segregate them.
ITC's B. Jogarao said, "Indian paper industry is growing at an average of 10 per cent per annum and the likely demand will be 28 million tonnes by 2025. But we are able to recycle only three million tonnes of waste." He pointed out that 22 fully grown trees make one tonne of paper and 15000 tonnes of garbage needs one acre of landfill. "Recycling also creates jobs for people." He said. In order to encourage people, WOW gives Rs. 2 to Rs. 5 for every 5 kg of recyclable paper.
Over 100 school teachers and principals participated in the ITC meet on Saturday.
C.V. Shankar, Principal Secretary to Department of Environment, and Forests said, "If children are educated about recycling in schools, they won't forget and will ensure parents follow the same."
He said the government has taken initiatives to start eco-clubs in schools.
