The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur (IIEST, Shibpur) in collaboration with the Adamya Chetana Foundation established the IIEST-A Plate Bank as an eco-friendly waste management solution. The newly established plate bank of IIEST, Shibpur, targeted towards a community engagement of 1000 people, is a novel step towards sustainability and environmental responsibility, and marks the 21st of such Plate Banks established by the Adamya Chetana Foundation across India. This joint venture pledged for a Green and Clean Campus, is a unique one among the many other initiatives undertaken by this prestigious seat of higher learning in the recent past, including zero waste generation initiatives, plastic-less and litter-free campus pledge, regular campus cleanliness drives (Swachh Shaniwar), tobacco-free campus etc.
The formal inauguration of the IIEST-A Plate Bank was held on the 28th of May 2025 through formal exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Hon’ble Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIEST Shibpur and the Chairperson of Adamya Chetana, Smt. Tejaswini Ananth Kumar and the Hon’ble Director of IIEST Shibpur, Prof. V.M.S.R.Murthy. The ceremony was attended by faculty members, alumni, representatives from Adamya Chetana Foundation, administrative officers, staff members and student community of IIEST Shibpur, as well as eminent guests and industry personalities including Shri Kumar Satyaki, Joint Managing Director, Eden Realty Ventures Pvt. Ltd and Shri Gautam Ray, President (Corporate), RPSG Group. The first half of the ceremony was conducted in the Alumni Seminar Hall of the Institute, involving welcome address and insights by dignitaries present on the occasion and virtual unveiling of the IIEST-A Plate Bank, followed by a physical tour and auspicious lamp lighting ceremony at the newly founded IIEST-A Plate Bank, situated near the 2nd Gate of the IIEST Campus.
This joint initiative is thus a key component of the Institute’s Green and Clean Campus program, aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices and minimizing the use of single-use plastics and disposables during campus events and gatherings. The vision of the IIEST-A Plate Bank is to provide reusable utensils for functions and programs in this seat of higher learning, encouraging the campus community and neighborhood to adopt a more sustainable approach to waste management. This initiative not only reflects the shared vision of both Institutions to foster environmental consciousness, but also sets a positive example for green practices in academic spaces, one of the first of its kind in an Institute of National Importance. The inaugural ceremony ended with a pledge to promote green-dining for zero-waste events within the IIEST Shibpur campus and collaborating with alumni and stakeholders for promoting sustainability and reducing excessive use of disposables through effective community engagement.