Q3 from C3 is a platform where we collect feedback and insights from Chennai folks from diverse backgrounds on climate change and more specifically, climate action.
In this post, we provide the insights from D. Naga Siva Sai Ravikanth, who is the Co-founder of Modern Agriculture Technology Innovation Center (MATIC), a firm providing technological solutions for problems in the agriculture sector.
Chennai Climate Consortium (C3) thanks Ravikanth for his valuable inputs.
Like elsewhere, Chennaites are bombarded with information on threats from climate change, but they are told very little about what they can do. How can a strong awareness be created about climate action so that the average Chennaite gets involved?
It is crucial for every individual to take responsibility for their consumption and waste disposal practices, particularly concerning plastic waste. Items like milk packet covers, instant dosa flour covers, and other plastic packaging should be returned for recycling after use. Such initiatives are highly commendable, as there are already numerous companies working on innovative solutions like furniture and roads made from recycled plastic. When proper collection systems are in place, the need for extensive waste segregation efforts diminishes. This activity not only ensures that waste is directed to the appropriate recycling facilities but also promotes the efficient distribution of recycled products. By encouraging maximum involvement and minimizing efforts, we can facilitate the seamless flow of materials to their respective destinations, thus achieving maximum efficiency in waste management.
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What are your recommendations for Chennai to become a role model for climate action for cities worldwide?
Organizations can drive the collection of used plastics waste by empowering their employees to participate in a collective monthly initiative. This activity can be considered as part of the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Employees would be encouraged to bring their accumulated plastic waste to the workplace, which would then be sent to recycling facilities. By raising awareness among employees about waste management and providing designated collection bins, organizations can facilitate proper waste segregation. Collaborating with recycling facilities and tracking the amount of waste collected would further support the initiative’s success. Through this approach, organizations can foster employee engagement and contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
Personally, what types of climate action or sustainability projects would you like to be involved in?
I would prefer to work more in the Agri-tech sector as I it is something that I have already been working on. On average, a small household can generate approximately 25kg of kitchen waste in a month. By converting this kitchen waste into organic fertilizer, several benefits can be achieved. Firstly, it can lead to a reduction in methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, the organic fertilizer produced can be used to nourish trees, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in fertilizer usage and the associated environmental impacts. Furthermore, by diverting kitchen waste to compost pits instead of bins, the working time and energy required for industrial waste processing can be reduced, resulting in power savings. Ultimately, this process contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. By encouraging maximum households in a city to bring their waste to compost pits and utilizing the resulting organic fertilizer, we can significantly decrease our reliance on external fertilizers. This has a positive impact on farmers who only need to use fertilizers for specific periods during their farming practices. As a result, the production of urea from composting initiatives becomes an important step in achieving self-sufficiency in fertilizer production. Being a part of this mission brings me great joy and fulfilment.
