Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative

The year 2023 marked a period of continued activity and significance for APCCI . In addition to the fundamental waste collection efforts, volunteers and team members engaged in various activities to enhance citizen participation. The quarter spanning October to December 2023 was emblematic of this focused endeavour. Notable highlights included participation in 'Swachhta Pakhwada,' involvement in diverse activities of the 'Indian Swachhta League,' the facilitation of volunteers and NGOs on a unified platform, celebration of E-waste day, engagement in the NDA marathon and Neerathon, along with sustained involvement in volunteering activities. Reflecting on the broader scope of 2023, it held special importance for Pune as the city hosted G20 meetings and conferences. APCCI played an active role in maintaining the cleanliness of roads, collaborating closely with local bodies. Citizen engagement and weekend volunteering remained on track, with the targets for...

On December 14, 2023, as we observe National Energy Conservation Day, the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in developing countries, rising disposable incomes leading to heightened consumption, and a lack of awareness across all levels regarding proper waste management methods become increasingly apparent. In today's world, waste management and energy conservation have become interconnected, emerging as critical issues that require immediate attention. It is imperative to implement effective waste management and energy conservation methods not only at the institutional level but also on an individual scale. To actively engage in this pursuit, one must understand the underlying need. Waste management encompasses various processes, including garbage collection, segregation, logistics, proper disposal, processing, and recycling. Energy conservation, on the other hand, focuses on reducing energy consumption while promoting the use of alternative or renewable energy sources. Impro...

From laptops to smartphones, wearables, and gadgets, electronic devices have seamlessly integrated into our day-to-day lives, amplifying our dependence on them. However, the swift pace of technological advancement has substantially reduced the lifespan of these devices, giving rise to a burgeoning problem known as E-waste. Effective E-waste management is now an urgent necessity to curb its adverse environmental and health impacts. Improper disposal of E-waste carries severe environmental consequences. When electronic devices end up in landfills, they release toxic substances into the soil and groundwater, resulting in the contamination of ecosystems. The hazardous materials present in E-waste can also leach into nearby water bodies, thereby polluting rivers and lakes. Additionally, the incineration of E-waste releases harmful gases, contributing to air pollution and climate change. E-waste poses significant health risks to both humans and wildlife, a situation further e...

WORLD SOIL DAY- 5 December Saving the magical earth beneath us   Human health and human survival depend on the food we eat. The quality of the food depends on the fertility of the soil.  It is one of the most important and essential natural resources we have. Soil pollution affects fertility and jeopardizes food security. The presence of toxic substances causes soil pollution. Some of the contaminants occur naturally, but most of it is a result of human activities. The way we manage our waste, be it solid, wet or e-waste directly affects the environment and the earth beneath. World Soil Day is celebrated every year on  5 th December to highlight the importance of soil health and it’s role in a sustainable future. Waste management and soil are two interrelated subjects that have a significant impact on our environment. For years we have been indifferent towards this core issue. Soil is the very foundation of food generation, it provides clean water and is crucial t...

In recent times, marathons have emerged as a popular avenue for advocating fitness and a health-conscious lifestyle. The sheer diversity of participants, spanning various societal segments, injects excitement into these events. Witnessing people engage in such large numbers instils a sense of teamwork and accomplishment, which can be truly inspiring and profoundly impactful on individuals. Moreover, many marathons transcend mere physical and mental benefits, providing a platform to spotlight charitable causes and social initiatives. In essence, marathons are evolving into significant contributors to community well-being. Pune, in particular, is witnessing a surge in marathon popularity, with events ranging from small to large, including walkathons, taking place almost every week in support of noble causes. However, the substantial influx of participants also translates to a considerable environmental footprint, primarily in terms of waste generation. Items such as drinking water bo...

Adar Poonawalla Clean City continued with its series of bringing together NGOs and organizations and felicitating them for their continuous efforts to make our city clean. On Saturday 4 th  November, five organizations including National Society for Clean Cities-Pune (NSCC),  We Punekars and Worship Earth Foundation  , Chal Saaf Kar Bavdhan Initiative, Team Swachh Kalyani Nagar, Raahat Foundation, were among the organizations felicitated at the event.     The program was a perfect platform for deliberations on topics related to cleanliness and exchange of ideas. The program included a presentation on  the need for fostering citizen engagement and various organizations to work together and information on  collaborative initiatives by APCCI followed by an interactive session. Purnima Joshi from Team Swacch Kalyani Nagar, Deepa Prabhu, Volunteer Chal Saaf Kar Bavdhan Initiative, Amrapali Chavan, C0 Founder WePunekars and Communication...

In today's interconnected world, the power of community cannot be underestimated. Local engagement plays a crucial role in driving sustainable development goals and creating positive change. When individuals come together, they can leverage their collective strengths to address social, economic, and environmental challenges effectively. Community engagement is an essential component of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). It involves the active participation of individuals, organizations, and communities in decision-making processes that affect their lives and the environment around them. By engaging with local communities, we can tap into their knowledge, resources, and experiences, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions. Community engagement fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among individuals, as they become active contributors to the development process. It ensures that the needs, priorities, and aspirations of communi ties are considered and i...

It was a proud moment for young Vaibhav whose referral benefitted students with refurbished computers at a special function organized to mark International E-Waste Day recently. In an effort to improve the educational resources for the aspiring and meritorious students from economically weaker background, 15 refurbished computers were donated by Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI) in association with Poornam Ecovision foundation to NGOs, organisations and children of waste warriors including Vanwasi Kalyan Ashram ( Ghodegaon Pune Dist), Navbharat Kanya Niwas Hostel ( Ahmednagar Dist) etc. The students were excited to receive their computers which would give them access more educational tools. These students want to become CAs, IAS, IPS officers, Engineers and saw a new ray of hope with their hands on these computers. They were happy to receive their computers which would give them access to more educational tools. Vaibhav is one of the real examples of how a...

  Hon.Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi called upon the people to participate in cleanliness drive on October 1 across the country. Adar Poonawalla Clean City ( APCCI) actively participated in the mega cleanliness drive across various locations in Pune.   Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS)  campaign was celebrated from 15 th  September to 2 nd  October this year with a theme of ‘Garbage Free India’. The focus was on cleanliness especially at high footfall public places like bus stands, railway stations, cantonment boards, beaches, tourist places, zoos, national parks & sanctuaries, historical monuments, heritage sites, river fronts, ghats, drains and nallahs etc. in both rural & urban areas. In Pune citizens from various walks of life joined in the mega event with an hour long ‘Shramdan’ in run up to the’ Swacch Bharat Diwas’ on 2 October 2023 and a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. The program was conducted under the aegis of the ...

Officers and Staff members of  Central GST and Customs office, Pune Zone and officials from Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI) came together for a seminar on sustainability . The program was a part of the ‘Swacchata Pakhwada initiative’ started in April 2016 with the objective of bringing a fortnight of intense focus on the issues and practices of Swachhata by engaging GOI Ministries/Departments in their jurisdictions. Mr. Krishnan Komandur, CEO APCCI was invited as Chief Guest for the seminar. Mr. Shivkumar Popat Salunkhe, Joint Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Audit-I Commissionerate Pune , Atul Gaikwad, Superintendent along with officers and staff members were present on the occasion. Mr. Komandur gave  a presentation on APCCI activities and sustainable lifestyle followed by engaging discussion with the staff members of GST office. The gathering discussed on various ways that organizations can collaborate for cleanliness and volunteering. P...

Villoo Poonawalla Foundation was felicitated with the CSR impact award at the SMX CSR Leadership Summit & Awards held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 22 September 2023.The CSR impact award to Villoo Poonawalla Foundation was given for it's Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI).The awards are given in various categories including CSR Leadership Award , Best NGO Award , CSR impact award, Innovative CSR Project Award , CSR Leadership Award and Best NGO leadership award .   Mr.Krishnan Komandur, CEO Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative received the award on behalf of the organization. He gave a presentation on the various activities of APCCI to the expert gathering . The award reflects best strategies and practices adopted by various organisations to face challenges of the current scenario. This summit brings  corporate decision makers, CSR professionals, implementing agencies, NGOs and policy makers on one platform and share experiences an...

Entrepreneur and founder of the Goat Village homestays and the Bakri Chhap organic products brand in Uttarakhand, Mr. Roopesh Rai who is on a cycling mission to spread the word of environment conservation made a pit stop at Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI)  office in Pune. He was welcomed  and felicitated at the hands of Krishnan Komandur,CEO, APCCI in presence of Malhar Karwande, COO APCCI and staff members. Roopesh Rai set up on this cycling expedition six months back and will be travelling 12000 km across across six states and 120 village panchayats. The major focus is on rural areas where he is motivating youngsters to take care conserve their cultural and natural heritage with ‘Jal, Jungle, Jameen’  initiative and is appointing 120 ‘Prakriti Pahiris’  as custodians of this endeavor. As a part of this campaign ‘Ficus’ tree symbolic of bio-diversity is being planted. The rural youth is being asked to report about this tree in a storytelli...

Around 20-25 volunteers from about 13 NGOs and organizations gathered at the Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI)  office in Pune on Saturday 9 September 2023 . The NGOs were felicitated for participating in the mega initiative ‘Don Tass Ek Swachh Prayas’ which was organized to mark Independence Day. This was the second consecutive session where APCCI felicitated various organizations and volunteers for their continuous efforts towards making the city clean. The program included  presentation of various collaborative initiatives by APCCI, and  information on Don Tass Ek Swachh Prayas’ started by Wing Commander ( Retd) Puneet Sharma after which volunteers shared their on field experiences .  Various volunteers opined that we must take the ownership of the place where we live, we must be the change if we want to change things around us. This was the continuation of the first  program which was organised on 2 September 23 . The organization...

Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative ( APCCI ) recently felicitated various NGOs , organizations and volunteers for their participation in the mega initiative  ‘Don Taas Ek Swachh Pune Prayas’ organised to celebrate Independence Day. The initiative involved cleaning drives at over 100 places in the city , awareness and plantation drives .    Volunteering is a noble act of giving back to the community. People from diverse backgrounds come together for a common cause. It is this team spirit that strengthens the bond with the community and engages people in societal causes . It is this spirit that deserve s appreciation . Recognizing the importance of volunteering for a better planet and future , APCCI has started an initiative to felicitate and encourage young volunteers , organizations who are doing a selfless act of cleanliness drives to ensure a better and healthier tomorrow .    In the first program organised on 2 September 23 , various org...

As much as we all want our environment to be free of litter, there are still areas prone to chronic waste spots. These areas are often characterized by heaps of trash and debris, and they can diminish the aesthetic value of a place as well as negatively impact public health and safety. But with a little effort, we can all contribute to beautifying these chronic waste spots and make them a pleasant site for everyone.   One of the first things to consider when beautifying a chronic waste spot is to assess the scope of the clean-up. This will help us determine the resources and strategies that we need to employ to tackle the problem effectively. It is essential to coordinate with local authorities, waste collectors and other relevant stakeholders to ensure doorstep waste collection to the nearby citizens, solve the waste collection related issues. Monitor the location for few days so that now garbage is thrown by passerby at the spot. Another crucial consideration is th...

Cleanliness drives at more than 100 locations in the city, massive plantation drive with 1000+ saplings, river cleanup drive , chronic spots cleanup,  regular cleanup on weekends at more than fifty spots, mega drive at Samvidhan Chowk, awareness sessions in schools was a perfect way to salute our great country and celebrate Independence Day. More than 100+ NGO,communities and volunteer groups teamed up for multiple drives on weekend leading upto Independence Day. The Initiative was a part of a mega drive conducted by ‘Swachh Pune Swachh  Bharat’s Don Taas , Ek Swach Pune Prayas’ , an initiative started by Wing Commander Puneet Sharma. The annual drive emphasizes common citizens to make their city a livable one by enjoying freedom from litter and pollution. This year too it carried the message under the central theme of ‘SWAG’ – ‘S’ stands for Swachhta under which cleanliness drives are organized. ‘W’- stands for Waste and E-Waste Collection. ‘A’- stands for awar...

ESG takes center stage in organizations all across … The entire world is talking about climate change, reducing carbon footprint, environment and sustainability and in recent times the concept of ‘ESG’ is taking center stage in all businesses and organizations. In simple terms ‘ESG’ or Environmental, Social and Governance is a measure to access practices and performance of organizations taking into consideration various environmental and ethical aspects? Although the regulatory framework might be different in different geographies, the major three pillars on which this assessment is done are Environmental, Social and Governance. And Waste Management is one of the major elements in Environmental indicators of ESG. Although some elements in these three pillars like ethics, sustainability are considered to be a non-financial, they are equally important as they bring more accountability in processes which have a social and environmental impact. Waste Management - a key co...