ITC’s YiPPee! Better World Program hosts science mela in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: YiPPee! Better World Program has reached out to over 14 lakh school students across 3,000 schools in 85 cities in the country to create awareness on plastic waste management this year.

As many as 16,600 kg of plastic waste are being recycled into 908 benches and desks and other useful items to be given to students.

With the aim of contributing to a cleaner, greener, and healthier world, Sunfeast YiPPee! Along with NGO partner ‘Way for life’ is creating awareness amongst students on plastic waste management.

YiPPee! Better World Science Mela is one such initiative to generate wider awareness amongst students. The mela was held recently at the Government Higher Primary School, Whitefield, Bengaluru.

The science mela was inaugurated by Dr. Agatha Betsy, Head – Nutrition Sciences ITC Ltd., Muthu Krishna Moorthy, GM & Head – ICML Malur ITC Ltd and H. Vijayalakshmi, Headmaster, Government Higher Primary School.

The event featured a science exhibition which focused on the 3R principles —Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – where students from the Government Higher Primary School presented innovative projects.

A drawing competition was organised to encourage artistic expression on sustainability themes and student-run stalls were put up, promoting eco-conscious products.

Further, 100 benches and desks made from recycled plastic waste were also deployed in the school, strengthening the programme’s mission to promote a circular economy and responsible waste management.

Through the YiPPee! Better World Programme, launched in 2022, ITC has successfully engaged with over 21 lakh students across 4,000-odd schools in India, educating them on responsible waste management.

The initiative has gone beyond awareness, delivering tangible impact — collecting over 58,000 kg of plastic waste and deploying more than 4,000 desks and benches made from recycled plastic.

“This aligns with ITC’s larger commitment to plastic neutrality, in partnership with government and civic bodies. In line with ITC’s commitment to sustainability, the YiPPee! Better World Program has spearheaded initiatives to instill environmental responsibility in young minds while actively working towards a cleaner future,” Kavita Chaturvedi, COO, Snacks, Noodles & Pasta, ITC Foods, said.

In FY 2023-24, ITC collected and managed around 70,000 tonnes of plastic waste across India, which is more than the total plastic packaging utilised by the company.

ITC’s flagship ‘Well-Being Out of Waste’ (WOW) programme has reached over 25 million citizens across 6.4 million households, 6.7 million schoolchildren and over 2,200 corporates, since its inception.