Class 11 - Environment Science The Valley School, KFI Bangalore

2017 - 18

A year in understanding solid waste

Waste Matters

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BEYOND TEXTBOOKS

Class 11 EVS took up a year-long project on Waste, that was to change the way they looked at consumption and subsequent waste generation. Their learning probed them with imperative questions about their own choices, challenged their perspectives, and now keeps the pursuit of 'how better... ' going.   

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Note from the EVS Teacher

A topic like Environmental Science presents a great challenge and opportunity, for it has cross-overs in multiple disciplines - ranging from economics, science, natural and human history to psychology, sociology, politics, and governance.  While ISC has laid out a comprehensive curriculum covering basic theories and

concepts, it was clear to me from the beginning that the course design must be grounded in a hands-on project and direct personal experience.

Thanks to able guidance from Jayaram uncle, together as a class we decided to choose 'Waste' as our

project theme, for this academic year.  Given how interrelated issues are between modern urban consumer lifestyles, resultant pollution and impact on the state of human and planetary health, we intended to delve on the issue from the lens of Valley as a community - to broaden our understanding, deepen our perspectives

and recognize our own role and contribution in causing as well as solving these problems.   We were greatly supported by Shriram and Sowmya - new parents to Valley who run Better Carbon Living. 

They facilitated for us the very eye-opening tour of the city - to see first-hand, how waste is

generated, disposed, recycled etc. They also ran for us, a workshop on the theme of 'Food and Waste'.  Another Valley parent- Murali Krishna ran a coconut upcycling workshop, while Swetha Singhvi - a former

Valley student and current parent conducted a workshop on natural cosmetics.

It has been a valuable journey of learning for me and my students.  It is encouraging to see them grow as aware, concerned, active young citizens, and to appreciate the complexity of these issues, to be willing to inquire into their own lifestyle choices and take their learning forward in their homes and communities.  Be it the time when all of them unanimously voted against a lunch at McDonald's (during our waste tour) or when they brought to school some home-grown herbs and vegetables for our cook-out or the time when they actively carried compost to our vegetable garden at Valley (moving from a mindset of no-touching

compost to seeing the value in it) - all such moments offer one the confidence that these micro-shifts and seeds will lead us forward in the right direction.  

In subsequent pages, we shed light on the variety of ways in which we offered ourselves the exposure to issues related to 'Waste'.  May this booklet inspire many more students and their families, as well as the

Valley to be a (more) environmentally conscious community.

With much gratitude to all who offered their support, guidance, inspiration and kind wishes - Jayaram uncle, Shriram, Sowmya, Murali Krishna, Elsie, Swetha Singhvi, Sudha aunty, Skanda, all the Valley

parents, and staff.    - Vipul Shaha

A complex and contentious subject like Waste warrants a multifocal approach. The course was designed with Classroom, Experiential and Immersive sessions - each session providing an overview and analysis of the

problem, and enabling the discovery of interconnectedness of things. While the sessions brought about new information and perspectives, the vital learning from the course was that Waste was no longer a topic, but became

an emotive concern. From the sights they witnessed to the people they met, this project has had a tremendous impact on the group.

The Journey

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Composting Upcycling Natural Cosmetics

Experiential

Upcycling

Natural cosmetics

CompostingWhat happens to organic waste on campus? The

group spent an afternoon with Sudha aunty learning about pit composting.  This session was important in

demonstrating that waste is a resource.   

Murli Krishna conducted a workshop on upcycling, where students learnt about how

infinitely diverse coconut shells are. This session provided ample art inspiration to the students.

 How many chemicals go in making a beauty care product? Do they have an effect on the environment? Shweta Singhvi, a passionate maker of natural cosmetics

opened up these conversations with the students. The group learnt to make body butters, lip balms and insect repellents using natural butters and essential oils.     

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Climate Change

Sustainable Food

Waste Management

Classroom Sessions

Sustainable food

Climate Change

 This session by Sowmya introduced studentsto the what, why and how of sustainable food. That food is wasted at every level - growing,

harvesting, procuring, preparing and then dining challenged the group's perspectives on

consumption. The session brought to focus different and noteworthy sustainable food movements across the world; and included indulging in a zero-waste cake (made with

vegetable skin, pulp, and seeds) 

This session by Shriram explored the science and impact of Climate Change. Students were also introduced to the

concept of Carbon Footprinting.  

Waste Management During this classroom session with Shriram, the group

got an overview of Solid Waste Management. This session set the context for an immersive study of

Waste, discussed in the next page.

Immersion

A visit to the Wastelands

Tracking the origins and journey of waste can be a trip like no other.  What is the scope of waste? What happens to waste when it leaves the doorstep? Who are the people who handle waste? The

group went on a field trip with Shriram,  tracking these very questions. 

Dry Waste Collection Centre Mansoor Ahmed* who manages the

centre at Jayanagar,  gave the students a tour of the facility and spoke about the challenges of dry

waste segregation

*Mansoor is a Waste worker who has spoken at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015, at Paris

K R Market The group walked through

busy markets to understand the quantum of wet waste

generated. They also visited Jolly Mohalla where

cardboard, plastic and metal are aggregated for recycling 

Metro Cash and Carry At the first stop, students got to

understand about produce procurement, supply chain

management, categorisation, storage, and waste handling 

Nayandahalli The final stop gave a glimpse of

how technology innovations improve lives of waste workers.

Students met women of a family who generate income by

using a hand-run machine to separate wires -

 copper/ aluminium from plastic casing

Garbage transfer point The students spoke to BBMP Pourakarmikas on duty, at JP

Nagar. The men were transferring garbage from small dipper autos into a compactor,

with their bare hands

I think the experience of talking tothe people who collected garbage in the BBMP trucks was one that

will stay with me  - Rene

It was empowering to watch how women, who were otherwise just homemakers, play a lead in the

management of E-waste - Aarti

It was a big revelation to note that a huge number of people are

uneducated when it comes to waste segregation - Sunayana

After these sessions, I've become more conscious. Lunch time makes

me think - Saira

Waste workers are so open, they appreciated the fact that someone

came up to them, to hear their stories - Megha  

That garbage was not even theirs and yet these men were there every day, cleaning up after us, the privileged of

Bangalore city  - Shanaia K

The visit sensitised us to the happenings around us, but most

importantly about what we can do about it - Isha

What struck me was the amount of waste we saw. And this was not

even 1/4th of the city - Shanaia P

A multi-sensory experience, this field trip was critical in understanding the gravity of the problem. Students got a glimpseof the formal and informal garbage economy of the city. What they also saw is how enterprising and hardworking women in the sector are. That there are thousands of people making a living in waste (although meager), and tending to a problemcreated by others, challenged their mindset about waste.  The group was most touched by the warmth, simplicity, and the

travails of a waste worker.

TEACHINGThe group put together a series of activities to engage Junior school in their on-going conversation on waste. This session not only got the younger students acquainted with the subject but also got Class 11 to apply their new learning, more effectively. As they prepared to teach, the group consolidated information, improved their

own understanding and recall, and in the process, identified and remedied the gaps in their thinking.  

The group addressed the topic via storytelling, Q & A games, and plastic upcycling activities, and came away pleasantly surprised that some of the younger students were much more aware than they had anticipated. 

ASSESSMENTby Annie Sanders

The Waste SurveyHaving seen waste-handling up-close, it was necessary to evaluate waste in the context of personal relevance.

The group initiated a survey to study the pattern of consumption and waste generation within the Valley community - students, staff, and parents. This helped to assess awareness, practices, and attitudes about

waste.  The Waste Survey was a pivotal moment of learning for the group - as they created the questionnaire, collated and assessed the details, they became more aware and resolute in their journey towards being more

environmentally sustainable. 

We have put together a few suggestions (on page 28) that will help keep us in pursuit.

Click here to check detailed survey results. 

Waste on campus

 The Waste Room on campus offered perspectives on the amount of Dry and E waste generated at Valley.  The group met Elsie regularly to understand the workings of the Waste room. They

segregated waste into different categories and measured them by weight.  This exercise enabled them to work on waste reduction strategies. They are currently working on setting waste reduction

goals for the campus

This project on Waste was more than just a series of sessions, it manifested into a compelling call for systems- thinking and behavioural change.  The students have been

tremendously impacted by this project -  from altering personal choices to identifying problems in neighbourhoods

and systems, this inspired group of students is actively working on bringing transformation. We bring you a little

glimpse of their thoughts and actions. The artwork on each page is done by the respective student.   

From subject to practice

Art by: Shanaia Kapoor 

SAIRA

"I felt all the sessions were linked in some way or the other. Even the smallest of stories, like 'the Buddha and his disciple',  we read to Junior school has really made me think and altered my views

about the things I use in my daily life."

SHANAIA P

"I would like to invent a machine that transforms solid plastic into

mouldable form - to convert a digital design into a 3D print."

Shanaia P and Shanaia K want to work towards saving the Vrishabhavathi river, a tributary of Arkavathy. Pristine in the past, this river is now nicknamed Kengeri Mori - owing to domestic and

industrial waste flowing in. The river irrigates farms and orchards in the neighbourhood.

SUNAYANA

"I would like to design a machine that incinerates all waste that cannot be recycled. My machine will not release any harmful by-

products into the atmosphere and generate enough energy for industrial or domestic use." 

Sunayana is working on calibrating water conservation initiatives in her apartment complex

RENE"I would like to create a system in which consumers are always informed about the source of the products they buy, and of the environmental and

social aspects involved in the production or growing of the produce."

Rene is exploring measures to improve the bio-diversity at Kaikondrahalli lake

ISHA

"I would love to engage children in waste workshops.  The next generation needs to be

sensitized, they need to see that we can still undo some damages on this planet. We need to start

working together as a human race."

MEGHA"I strongly discourage the use of styrofoam, because it cannot be recycled. To deal with the current excess, I'd like to design a machine that uses bacteria to digest styrofoam. Although we can come up with various tools and

machines to curb waste generation, I personally think that the only way to tackle waste is to 'reduce'."

Megha is working on convincing her apartment community to switch from chemical fogging to

bio-enzymes, to deal with mosquitoes 

AARTI

"I'd like the whole school to go on the waste tour. It had a tremendous impact on my

learning. It is crucial for us to imbibe that knowledge and work together as a

community."

SHANAIA K

"The way produce is marketed and packaged needs to change. We need to know more about the farmer,  the

geographical, social and environmental factors that have gone into making the produce. This will encourage

people to choose indigenous over others. Hay, dried grass, and recycled paper should replace bubble wrap

and wrapping paper." 

Shanaia P and Shanaia K want to work towards saving the Vrishabhavathi river, a tributary of Arkavathy. Pristine in the past, this river is now nicknamed Kengeri Mori -

owing to domestic and industrial waste flowing in. The river irrigates farms and orchards in the neighbourhood

" A certified rating and costing of all products based on their environmental friendliness (taking into account carbon footprint as a

result of production, transport, packaging, waste generation etc.)  will greatly help inform whether we choose to opt for it or not."

Vipul Shaha

Of the three Rs (Reduce Reuse Recycle), Reduce is the most importantDitch all single-use plastics - straws, paper cups, paper plates etc.Put together your own zero-waste kit  - (washable and reusable)  Cutlery, Plates, Glasses, Boxes, Bags, Cloth Napkins/ Towels, Water bottles etc. Keep this in your vehicle, use and refresh whenever needed   If you can, buy from a farmer directly, or from co-operatives and collectives working towards sustainable agricultureMake and display a date wise (expiry) catalog of groceries so you are always aware of what is to be consumed soonReuse your clothes in whatever way you can - repurpose them into bags or use as a cleaning clothBe more mindful of what, where, how and how much you buyEat local and seasonal We found waste segregation was mostly handled by the women of the house. Men, it's time to take more responsibility here!  

Suggestions for Sustainable Living

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THE STUDENTS From left to right: Saira, Shanaia P, Shanaia K, Megha, Sunayana, Aarti,

Isha and Rene.