At a time when climate consciousness is no longer optional but imperative, two Construction Skills Training Institutes (CSTIs), Jadcherla in Telangana and Pilkhuwa in Delhi NCR, are showing the way by eliminating single-use plastics from their campuses. What began as a sustainability pledge has now evolved into a full-fledged movement, with employees & trainees alike embracing eco-friendly living as second nature.

CSTI Jadcherla – A decade of green dedication

The green transformation at CSTI Jadcherla began back in June 2015, with a resolute decision to make the campus completely free of single-use plastic. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” admits Deepak Sharma, Principal, CSTI Jadcherla. “Each year, over a thousand trainees pass through our gates, and creating awareness among them, our housekeeping staff, trainers, and security personnel was a big task. But today, it’s become a way of life here,” he smiles proudly.

The change was systematically orchestrated with awareness sessions, stickers at key locations, and trainees given jute bags and refillable PET bottles. During their weekly visits to the market during their 90-day stay at the campus, the trainees used to accumulate a considerable amount of plastic waste. “We calculated that over the past ten years, we have prevented the usage of nearly 1.5 lakh plastic bags and bottles, not to mention countless sachets that used to clog our drainage systems,” Deepak notes.

Beyond banning plastic, CSTI Jadcherla has cultivated a lush, sustainable ecosystem. The campus boasts a 113 kWp solar plant, a 100 kg/day solid waste management system, over 1,000 fruit-bearing trees, and vibrant gardens teeming with flowers, butterflies, and birds. This is a training ground not just for technical skills but for environmental care as well.

“Every day we demonstrate how it’s possible to make the world better in our little way through green initiatives,” says Deepak. “Now, everyone on campus, from employees to trainees, has a green heart. We’ve learnt to nurture the environment.”

CSTI Pilkhuwa – Where sustainability is a lifestyle

Further north, at CSTI Pilkhuwa, the move towards a plastic-free environment is not just a policy; it’s a lifestyle embedded into every aspect of campus life. “By adopting a plastic-free policy, not only is our CSTI reducing its environmental footprint but it is a role model for sustainable living too,” says Kamaljit Singh Mehrok, Principal, CSTI Pilkhuwa.

The institute has carefully designed a holistic zero-plastic system, starting with water refill stations to discourage bottled water and steel utensils & personal kits provided to every trainee. Trainees are strictly advised to bring only steel plates and cups, and the use of plastic bottles, cutlery, and packaging is banned within the premises.