Bhubaneswar, Oct. 2: Students of Xavier University today conducted a door-to-door campaign on waste management at Saheed Nagar .

The students teamed up with Bhubaneswar-based Sri Ganesh Recycling, an enterprise that recycles waste and generates green energy. Around 60 varsity students assembled at Saheed Nagar early in the morning and went to around 120 households to explain the importance of waste recycling.

They also explained the concept of 2-bin-and-1-bag system, which is practised in several metros across the country.

This method of segregation divides waste into 3 types - organic waste, which goes to the green bin and can be converted into manure through a portable compost plant; recyclable waste, which goes to the white bag and can be sold or donated; and the remainder, which go to the red bin and can be given to the civic body for landfill.

"This system would ensure that we are sending less waste to the landfill site and help save expenditure on its collection, transportation and disposal, while contributing towards protecting our environment by reducing air and water pollution," said Sri Ganesh Recycling representative Narasingha Panigrahi.

They also run a website - www.recyclepaper.in - that provides door-to-door paper waste pick-up solutions.

The students also distributed 2-bin-and-1-bag kits among residents of Saheed Nagar, apart from explaining them various methods of recycling waste at the source.

"Waste management is a critical element for ensuring a Swachh Bharat and building a smart city. The way to manage waste is to divide and conquer and deal with it at the source following the 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' method," said varsity student Neeraj Mann.

Councillor Saswati Mishra, who accompanied the team, said: "The residents actively accepted the message. All of them pledged to comply with waste segregation norms. We will try to ensure that people stick to the system."

The team will also conduct awareness camps in other parts of the city.

"We are trying to make people establish a smart, easy and efficient technique for segregation of waste at the source so that it can be easily managed via subsequent recycling, composting and safe disposal techniques," Panigrahi said.

The group is also running a toll free helpline, 18001202723 to assist people in understanding source segregation techniques and learn about composting and recycling in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.