Academic Institutions Leading Sustainability: IIEST Shibpur’s Green Campus Commitment

Sustainability in Action: IIEST Shibpur and Adamya Chetana Introduce Plate Bank

Sustainability has emerged as a paramount concern in the modern world, compelling institutions and communities alike to adopt environmentally responsible practices. Among the most urgent issues is the widespread use of single-use plastics and disposables, which significantly contribute to pollution and the depletion of natural resources. In response to this challenge, the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur (IIEST, Shibpur), in partnership with the Adamya Chetana Foundation, has taken a commendable step towards responsible waste management.

In this context, the institute has inaugurated the IIEST-A Plate Bank, an initiative designed to minimise disposable waste during campus events and promote eco-friendly habits. Notably, this initiative is intended to serve a community of approximately 1,000 individuals, demonstrating the institute’s growing commitment to sustainable practices. Furthermore, this marks the 21st Plate Bank established by the Adamya Chetana Foundation across the country, thereby reinforcing the foundation’s enduring efforts to advance green initiatives on a national scale.

Moreover, officials have indicated that this project is part of the institution’s broader Green and Clean Campus programme. This initiative aligns with several other measures adopted in recent years, such as pledges for a plastic-free and litter-free environment, efforts to ensure zero waste generation, the regular observance of Swachh Shaniwar cleanliness drives, and a commitment to maintaining a tobacco-free campus. Collectively, these measures reflect IIEST Shibpur’s dedication to fostering sustainable practices and environmental consciousness within the academic community.

The formal inauguration of the IIEST-A Plate Bank took place on 28 May 2025, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the stakeholders. The event was graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Chairperson of the Board of Governors of IIEST Shibpur, the Chairperson of Adamya Chetana, Smt Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, and the Hon’ble Director of IIEST Shibpur, Prof V.M.S.R. Murthy. In addition, faculty members, alumni, representatives of the Adamya Chetana Foundation, administrative officers, staff, students, and industry leaders such as Shri Kumar Satyaki, Joint Managing Director of Eden Realty Ventures Pvt. Ltd, and Shri Gautam Ray, President (Corporate) of RPSG Group, were in attendance.

The event commenced in the Alumni Seminar Hall, where dignitaries delivered their welcome addresses and offered insights into the initiative. Subsequently, a virtual unveiling of the Plate Bank was held, followed by a guided tour of the facility, located near the 2nd Gate of the campus. The programme concluded with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising the initiative’s emphasis on community engagement and environmental stewardship.

Significantly, the IIEST-A Plate Bank is positioned as a key component of the Institute’s sustainability agenda, aiming to provide reusable utensils for institutional functions and programmes. In doing so, it promotes conscious waste management both within the campus and in the wider community. Observers have noted that this initiative is one of the first of its kind in an Institute of National Importance, thereby setting a precedent for environmentally responsible practices in academic spaces. Ultimately, the inaugural event concluded with a collective pledge to promote green dining and zero-waste events on campus, while also fostering collaborations with alumni and other stakeholders to further sustainability goals and reduce dependency on disposable materials.

Editor’s Note:

The establishment of the IIEST-A Plate Bank marks a significant and timely intervention in the ongoing discourse on institutional sustainability. At a time when the environmental consequences of single-use plastics and disposables are increasingly evident, IIEST Shibpur’s initiative, developed in partnership with the Adamya Chetana Foundation, demonstrates a laudable commitment to practical and responsible waste management. More than a symbolic gesture, this initiative offers a scalable and replicable model of environmental stewardship within academic institutions, encouraging a shift towards reusability and mindful consumption at the community level. In a landscape where many institutions continue to approach sustainability in a passive or performative manner, IIEST Shibpur stands out for its purposeful and action-oriented commitment. The integration of the Plate Bank within its broader “Green and Clean Campus” initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to environmental responsibility. By involving stakeholders from academia, administration, and industry, the institute reinforces the notion that sustainability must be woven into the very fabric of institutional operations rather than treated as a peripheral concern.

According to Skoobuzz, this initiative is among the first of its kind to be implemented by an Institute of National Importance, setting a notable precedent for others to follow.