Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative

World Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22 April and   reinforces a powerful global message—our everyday choices shape the future of our planet.The Earth Day 2026 theme is "Our Power, Our Planet," which emphasizes accelerating the global transition to renewable energy and leveraging collective grassroots action for environmental protection Among the most pressing environmental challenges today is poor waste management. Overflowing landfills, plastic pollution, and untreated waste are contaminating soil, water, and air, directly impacting ecosystems and human health. When waste is not properly handled, it releases harmful greenhouse gases and toxins, accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss. However, meaningful change begins at an individual level. One of the simplest yet most effective steps is waste segregation at source. By separating waste into dry (recyclables like paper, plastic, metal), wet (biodegradable waste like food scraps), and sanitary ...

A strong induction program plays a vital role in shaping young minds by helping students understand real-world challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities beyond the classroom. It is during these early interactions that students begin to connect academic learning with social responsibility and civic awareness.       As part of this vision, Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI) recently participated in the student induction program at Keystone School of Engineering on Wednesday, 25 March 2026. Malhar Karwande, COO, APCCI, interacted with students on the theme “Urban India: Cleaner, Greener and Healthier.” He emphasized the vital role that citizens and institutions play in effective waste management and in building clean, sustainable cities.       Including waste management in induction programs is important because it creates early awareness about environmental responsibility. It encourages students to think beyond textbooks and un...

शाश्वत भविष्यासाठी केवळ धोरणे आणि तंत्रज्ञान पुरेसे नाही,तर त्यासाठी व्यक्तीगत पातळीवरून सुरू होणारा बदल आवश्यक आहे. हाच महत्त्वाचा संदेश अधोरेखित करत स्मार्ट एन्व्हायरो सिस्टिम्स प्रा.लि.चे संस्थापक संदीप कानेटकर यांनी अदर पुनावाला क्लीन सिटी इनिशिएटिव्ह (एपीसीसीआय) अंतर्गत आयोजित करण्यात आलेल्या क्लीन सिटी टॉक्स या उपक्रमात तरूणांशी संवाद साधला. विविध क्षेत्रांतील व्यावसायिकांचे प्रत्यक्ष अनुभव जाणून घेत नेतृत्व आणि शाश्वततेचा वेध घेणे हा या उपक्रमाचा उद्देश आहे. इंटर्नशिपसाठी कचरा व्यवस्थापन क्षेत्र निवडणाऱ्या महाविद्यालयीन विद्यार्थ्यांशी बोलताना कानेटकर यांनी योग्य कचरा व्यवस्थापनाची कार्यसंस्कृती विकसित करण्याची गरज अधोरेखित केली. खऱ्या अर्थाने परिवर्तनाची सुरूवात ही वैयक्तिक जबाबदारीतून होते आणि विशेषत: लहान वयात,शाळांमधून रूजवली गेली पाहिजे,असे त्यांनी सांगितले. कचरा व्यवस्थापनाचे विविध पैलू,सेंद्रिय कचऱ्याच्या व्यवस्थापनातील आव्हाने याबाबत त्यांनी सादरीकरण केले.   या चर्चेतील महत्त्वाचा मुद्दा म्हणजे कोणत्याही कचरा व्यवस्थापन व्यवस्थेचा कणा असलेल्या स्वच्छता सैनिकांंप्रती ...

Creating a sustainable future requires more than policies and technology—it demands a cultural shift that begins at the individual level. Emphasizing this crucial message, Mr. Sandeep Kanetkar, Founder of Smart Enviro Systems Pvt. Ltd., addressed young minds at  Clean City Talks , an initiative by the  Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI).  The initiative aims to explore leadership and sustainability through real-world experiences shared by professionals across sectors. Speaking to a group of college students who have chosen internships in the field of waste management, Mr. Kanetkar highlighted the urgent need for a culture of proper waste management. He stressed that meaningful change starts with individual responsibility and must be nurtured from a young age, particularly through schools. His presentation offered valuable insights into various aspects of waste management, with a special focus on the challenges associated with organic waste handling. A key takea...

One of the most inspiring highlights of this year has been the increasing involvement of young volunteers stepping up and taking responsibility for their city. At Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI), cleanliness activities have always been at the heart of our work—beyond our day-to-day operations, actively engaging in large-scale public cleanliness drives across Pune. These initiatives include cleaning public spaces, riverbanks, areas around heritage sites, post-marathon clean-ups, and restoring cleanliness after major festivals. As we reflect on 2025, it stands out as a particularly special year, marked by meaningful participation and growing public awareness. A Visible Shift in Public Awareness This year witnessed a substantial increase in both the number of cleanliness drives and the volunteers who joined them. This growth clearly reflects a positive shift in citizens’ mindsets. People are no longer passive users of public spaces—they now want to actively con...

अदर पुनावाला क्लीन सिटी इनिशिएटिव्ह (एपीसीसीआय) तर्फे नुकतेच स्वच्छता सैनिक  मेळावा 2025 चे आयोजन करण्यात आले होते. या मेळाव्यात 600 हून अधिक स्वच्छता सैनिक  सहभागी झाले. हा मेळावा समर्पण, संघभावना आणि सामायिक ध्येयाच्या उत्सवाचे प्रतीक ठरला. हा कार्यक्रम वानवडी येथील महात्मा ज्योतिराव फुले सभागृहात पार पडला. या कार्यक्रमाला अतिथी म्हणून वानवडी विभाग कार्यालयाचे सहाय्यक आयुक्त अमोल पवार उपस्थित  होते   . तसेच अदर पुनावाला क्लीन सिटी इनिशिएटिव्हचे मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी कृष्णन कोमंडूर, मुख्य कामकाज अधिकारी मल्हार करवंदे, सरव्यवस्थापक आशिष मराठे आणि सुमित फॅसिलिटीजचे संचाल क सुनील कुंभारकर उपस्थित  होते. हे सर्व स्वच्छता सैनिक म्हणजे आपल्या शहरांना अधिक स्वच्छ आणि हरित ठेवणारी खरी प्रेरणा आहेत. आपल्या शहरी जीवनाची गुणवत्ता सुधारण्यासाठी दररोज पहाटेपासून ते रात्रीपर्यंत ते अथक परिश्रम करत असतात. अनेकदा पडद्यामागे काम करणारे हेच स्वच्छता सैनिक आपला रस्ता, उद्याने आणि सार्वजनिक स्थळांच्या स्वच्छतेचे खरे अनामिक नायक आहेत. हा मेळावा केवळ एकत्र येण्याचा नव्हता, तर या श...

When waste warriors meet, they talk about cleanliness !  600+ Waste Warriors . One Unstoppable Mission. This week marked a special moment for the Adar Poonawalla Clean City initiative as over 600 Waste Warriors came together for a warm, informal gathering — a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and shared purpose.  The program was held at Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Auditorium at Wanawadi . Mr.Amol Pawar, Assistant Commissioner, Wanawadi Ward Office graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Mr. Krishnan Komandur , CEO, APCCI , Mr. Malhar Karwande, COO, APCCI Mr. Ashish Marathe and GM, APCCI, Sunil Kumbharkar, Director, Sumeet facilities  were present on the occasion.     These incredible individuals are the driving force behind the cleaner, greener cities we often take for granted. Day in and day out, from early mornings to long hours in the field, they work tirelessly to improve the quality of urban life. Often working behind the...

The 10th edition of The Clean City Talks , an initiative by APCCI , brought together passionate changemakers committed to building cleaner, more sustainable cities. This inspiring session focused on the intersection of sustainable tourism and cleanliness, showcasing impactful initiatives by volunteers . Yogesh Karandikar, founder of the Green Trail Foundation , along with team member Brihaspati Rai, shared insights on the upcoming Konkan Trail 2025 — a thrilling 100/50 km walkathon through the scenic landscapes of southern Konkan scheduled for November. They emphasized the critical role of waste management in such large-scale events. Also present were Mohammad Awais and Dr. Arif Shaikh from Work for Compassion , along with Amrin Navaloor, Founder of Spreading Happiness Foundation , and Pratik Padale and Nayeem Mirajkar, who are actively driving diverse community clean-up efforts. APCCI leaders — Mr. Malhar Karwande (COO), Mr. Ashish Marathe (GM), and Mr. Sathya Natarajan (Lead Volun...

अदर पुनावाला क्लीन सिटी इनिशिएटिव्ह (एपीसीसीआय) च्या क्लीन सिटी टॉक्स या उपक्रमाच्या आठव्या सत्रात शाश्वत भविष्यासाठी काम करणाऱ्या व्यक्ती व संस्था एकत्र आल्या होत्या. या सत्रात वृक्षाथॉन फाऊंडेशनचे सदस्य संतोष मोरे आणि विजय गायकवाड,तसेच माझा महाराष्ट्र मिशनचे युवा पर्यावरणप्रेमी प्रत्युष संचेती उपस्थित होते. शाश्वततेच्या क्षेत्रात केलेल्या कार्यासाठी या दोन्ही संस्थांचा सत्कार करण्यात आला. याप्रसंगी एपीसीसीआयचे मुख्य कामकाज अधिकारी मल्हार करवंदे, एपीसीसीआयच्या  तांत्रिक विभागाचे सरव्यवस्थापक आशिष मराठे, लीड वॉलेंटिअर सत्या नटराजन आणि इतर सदस्य उपस्थित होते. या कार्यक्रमात समुदाय-चलित शाश्वततेच्या प्रयत्नांचे महत्व अधोरेखित करण्यात आले. लोकप्रिय वार्षिक मॅरेथॉन असलेली वृक्षाथॉन ही तंदुरूस्तीच्या पलीकडे जाऊन सहभागींना स्थानिक झाडे लावण्यास प्रोत्साहित करून पर्यावरणीय जबाबदारीचा महत्त्वपूर्ण संदेश देते. तर दुसरीकडे माझा महाराष्ट्र मिशन हे स्वच्छता मोहिम आणि आपला परिसर स्वच्छ ठेवण्यासाठी युवकांच्या सहभागावर लक्ष केंद्रित करते. एपीसीसीआयने या युवकांना स्वच्छता भागीदार म्ह...

The eighth edition of Clean City Talks , an initiative by the Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI), brought together passionate changemakers working towards a sustainable future. The session welcomed members of Vrukshathon Foundation — Mr. Santosh More and Vijay Gaikwad — along with young environmentalist Pratyush Sancheti from the Maza Maharashtra Mission. Mr. Malhar Karwande, Chief Operating Officer, APCCI, Mr. Aashish Marathe, General Manager, Logistics, APCCI, Mr. Sathya Natarajan, Lead Volunteer, APCCI along with team members were present on the occasion. The two organisations were felicitated for their work in the area of sustainability. The event highlighted the importance of community-driven sustainability efforts. Vrukshathon, known for organizing its annual marathon, goes beyond fitness by encouraging participants to plant native trees — a powerful message of environmental responsibility. On the other hand, Maza Maharashtra Mission, led by motivated st...

पर्यावरण,शाश्वततेबाबत जागरूकता निर्माण करणारे प्रा.जयंत महाजन,प्रदीप कुमार आणि प्रिया कुमारी यांनी नुकतीच अदर पुनावाला क्लीन सिटी इनिशिएटिव्हच्या (एपीसीसीआय) कार्यालयाला भेट दिली. एपीसीसीआय तर्फे आयोजित क्लीन सिटी टॉक्सच्या सातव्या सत्रात त्यांनी आपला आजवरचा प्रवास आणि पुढील ध्येयाबद्दल सांगितले. क्लीन सिटी टॉक्स या सत्रात नेतृत्व आणि शाश्वततेचे विविध पैलू तज्ञ व तरूणांकडून जाणून घेण्याचे उद्दिष्ट आहे.याप्रसंगी एपीसीसीआयचे मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी कृष्णन कोमांडूर, मुख्य कामकाज अधिकारी मल्हार करवंदे,सरव्यवस्थापक आशिष मराठे व लीड वॉलेंटिअर सत्या नटराजन उपस्थित होते. व्यवस्थापन विषयात प्राध्यापक असलेले जयंत महाजन यांनी आपल्या कामातून तात्पुरती विश्रांती घेऊन भारतातील सीमेलगतच्या व दुर्गम भागात सायकलिंग एक्सपिडिशन हाती घेऊन पर्यावरण शाश्वततेबाबत जागरूकता निर्माण करत आहेत.तर दुसरीकडे प्रदीपकुमार आणि प्रिया कुमारी उंच शिखर सर करत प्लास्टिक कचरा व मेंस्ट्रुअल  हायजीन याबाबत जागरूकता निर्माण करत आहे. हे तिघेही चेंज बिफोर क्लायमेट चेंज हा दूरदर्शी सामाजिक उद्योजक असलेल्या रूपे...

APCCI had an opportunity to host three changemakers- Prof. Jayant Mahajan, Pradeep Kumar, and Priya Kumari who told about their remarkable journeys and the road ahead at the ‘Clean City Talks’. The  session was seventh in the series organised by Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI). which aims to explore different aspects of leadership and what we all can learn to make our city better and more liveable. Mr.Krishnan Komandur, CEO APCCI, Mr. Malhar Karwande, COO APCCI, Mr. Aashish Marathe General Manager, APCCI and Mr.Sathya Natarajan, Lead Volunteer APCCI were present on the occasion.   Prof. Jayant Mahajan, a management professor, is currently on sabbatical and cycling across India’s borders and remote regions to raise awareness about environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, Pradeep Kumar and Priya Kumari are scaling mountains to advocate for reducing  plastic waste and improving menstrual hygiene. All three are part of Change before Climate Change...

It was a insightful and intriguing discussion as students from Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women (BNCA) gave a presentation at the ‘Clean City Talks’. The session was sixth in the series organised by Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI). which aims to explore different aspects of leadership and what we all can learn to make our city better and more liveable. Mr.Krishnan Komandur, CEO APCCI, Mr. Malhar Karwande, COO APCCI, Mr. Aashish Marathe General Manager, APCCI and Mr.Sathya Natarajan, Lead Volunteer APCCI were present on the ocassion. Ms. Trupti Thapa, Ms. Mohini Mandke, and Ms. Radhika Joshi, along with their mentor and Associate Professor Mr. Mahesh Bangad, presented an impressive project: a transit storage unit for dry waste, collaboratively executed by a team of 20 students. The collection unit installed at Sinhagad Road is being used and appreciated by the waste warriors. The unit features multiple compartments, making waste segregation easi...

A good ecosystem and dignity for waste warriors to carry out their duties and awareness amongst citizens can bring about change in the way we handle waste and pave the way for a healthier environment. Mr. Krishnan Komandur, CEO, Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative expressed his thoughts at the recently held Climate Action and Sustainability Conference Awards (CASCA’ 25 ). He along with an expert panel including Mr. Sanjay Khajuria, Former Director – Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Nestlé India and Maj Gen Vijay Singh Lalotra (Retd), Former Additional Director General, Territorial Army were speaking at the ‘Thought Leader’s’ panel on the topic ‘Institutional synergy for Sustainability’ . The Session was moderated by dynamic Mr. Amitabh Shah, Founder of Yuva Unstoppable.   CASCA 2025, presented by M3M Foundation and organized by TheCSRUniverse, brought together global leaders, experts, policymakers, and innovators under the powerful theme: “Driving Sustainable...

  दरवर्षी जगभरात २२ एप्रिल हा जागतिक वसुंधरा दिन म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. २००९ मध्ये संयुक्त राष्ट्र पर्यावरण कार्यक्रमाने मंजूर केलेल्या ठरावानुसार हा दिवस इंटरनॅशनल मदर अर्थ डे  ( https://www.unep.org/events/ un-day/international-mother- earth-day-2025 ) म्हणून घोषित करण्यात आला. ही पृथ्वी म्हणजे आपले एकमेव घर आहे, मात्र आता पृथ्वी गंभीर पर्यावरणीय आव्हानांना सामोरे जात आहे ज्याची तातडीने दखल घेणे गरजेचे आहे ही आठवण करून देणारा हा एक महत्वाचा दिवस आहे. आपली सुंदर पृथ्वी कोणाला याचा अनुभव घेण्यासाठी खूप दूर जाण्याची गरज नाही आहे. हे सौंदर्य आपल्या भोवताली आहे. हिरवळ आणि झाडाने भरलेले डोंगर असो किंवा डोंगरावरून वाहणारे पाणी असो, रंगीबेरंगी फुले, घनदाट जंगल असो किंवा मुक्तपणे वाहणारी नदी आणि विविध परिसंस्था व समुद्री जीवनाने भरलेला अथांग समुद्र असो किंवा आपल्याला  ताजेतवाने  स्पर्श देणारी मोकळ्या हवेची झुळूक असो,हे सारे निसर्गाची प्रत्येक निर्मिती दर्शवते.   पण त्याची आपण काय अवस्था केली आहे. . . मनुष्य म्हणून आपण आश्चर्यकारक प्रगती केली असली तरी पर्या...

Every year people around the world celebrate ‘Earth Day’ on 22 nd  April . The day was proclaimed as International Mother Earth Day ( https://www.unep.org/events/ un-day/international-mother- earth-day-2025 ) through a resolution adopted in 2009. It is a powerful reminder that this planet is the only home we have, but this home is faced with deepening environmental challenges that need to be addressed urgently.   What a beautiful Planet! One doesn’t’ need to travel far to experience this. It is just around us. Whether it is the hills with refreshing green cover and native trees, whether it is the water coming down the hills, colourful flowers, dense forests, whether it is the free-flowing river or the limitless oceans captivating the diverse ecosystems and marine life, whether it is the free flowing breeze that gives us the refreshing touch, every creation of the nature is a visual representation of its power and tranquillity.   But what have we done… As h...

The  ‘Pune International Business Summit 2025’ , recently organized by MCCIA at Hotel JW Marriott, brought together industry leaders and decision-makers from various sectors for a two-day conference. The  Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI)  actively participated in the event, showcasing its efforts in an exhibition alongside the conference at the dedicated APCCI pavilion. Industry leaders visited the pavilion, engaging in discussions on waste management and sustainability while acknowledging APCCI’s vital contribution to keeping the city clean.     With rapid economic growth driving a significant increase in consumption, effective waste management has become more crucial than ever. Recognizing this challenge, APCCI continuously works to raise awareness among both the public and industry leaders through various initiatives. The participation in the  Pune International Business Summit  was a key part of these efforts. The summit ...

As the world population continues to grow, the amount of waste and related issues also are growing paramount. Waste Management and  Soil   Health  are two crucial interlinked components that are key to sustainable development.  The impact of improper waste management is visible on  soil   health  as well as the overall environment. Improper waste management, which refers to non-segregation, open dumping, or incineration contributes to air, water, and  soil  pollution. Harmful chemicals and toxins from discarded materials can get into the  soil , contaminating groundwater resources and negatively affecting  soil  microorganisms and nutrient composition. Soil  properties- physical, chemical, and biological play a vital role in plant growth, water filtration, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling.  Soil , particularly  healthy   soil   helps in reducing the risk of erosion and flooding, acts as c...

समाजातील कोणत्याही परिवर्तनाची सुरुवात ही व्यक्तिगत स्वतःपासूनच झाली पाहिजे. मानसिक स्वच्छता आणि इतरांप्रती आदर यातून पुढे बाह्य स्वच्छताही साध्य होईल, असे प्रतिपादन ‘विश्वकल्याण गुरु सेवा फाऊंडेशन’चे संचालक व प्रख्यात प्रेरक वक्ते विनायक छत्रे यांनी येथे केले. शाश्वततेचे विविध पैलू आणि आपले शहर स्वच्छ आणि शाश्वत ठेवण्यासाठी या पैलूंचे सामान्य माणसासाठी असलेले महत्व, याचा शोध घेण्यासाठी ‘अदर पूनावाला क्लीन सिटी इनिशिएटिव्ह’तर्फे (एपीसीसीआय) नुकतेच  'क्लीन सिटी टॉक्स' ही चर्चासत्रांची विशेष मालिका सुरू करण्यात आली आहे. या उपक्रमाची सुरुवात श्री. छत्रे यांच्या ‘शाश्वतता आणि नेतृत्व’ या विषयावरील भाषणाने झाली. याप्रसंगी ‘एपीसीसीआय’चे मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी  कृष्णन कोमंडूर, मुख्य कामकाज अधिकारी  मल्हार करवंदे, आणि लीड व्हॉलेंटियर सत्या नटराजन उपस्थित होते. विनायक छत्रे हे एक प्रख्यात प्रेरक वक्ते असून पुण्यात सिद्ध समाधी कार्यक्रम सुरु करण्यात त्यांचा महत्वाचा वाटा  आहे, तसेच शिक्षकांसाठी असलेल्या प्रशिक्षण उपक्रमातही ते सहभागी आहेत. ते ‘फोर्बाको सिस्टम्स ...

Any transformation in society should start with individual self. Mental cleanliness and  respect for others will lead to outer cleanliness too, opined well known motivational speaker Mr.Vinayak Chhatre,Director  Vishwakalyan Guru Seva Foundation.  Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI)  on Saturday launched a special series 'Clean City Talks' which will explore various aspects of sustainability and what it means for a common man to keep our city clean and sustainable . Kick starting the initiative was Mr.Vinayak Chhatre who spoke about Sustainability and Leadership. Mr.Krishnan Komandur, CEO APCCI,Mr.Malhar Karwande, COO APCCI and  Mr.Sathya Natarajan, Lead Volunteer APCCI were present on the occasion .    Mr. Vinayak Chhatre has been a leading motivational speaker, initiator of Siddha Samadhi programs and has been involved in training activities for teachers. He is the  Managing Director, Forbaco Systems and Computer Services...