World Environment Day Session by DHRISHNI

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, in collaboration with Women’s Cell: Dhrishni, organized an insightful session on 5^th June 2025 for its staff, led by Mr. Sanjiv from Sensible Earth.

The session opened with a discussion on the economics of the environment, where Mr. Sanjiv emphasized the need to understand the financial impact of environmental degradation.

Recycling and Waste Statistics

He shared that only 1% of materials are recycled annually, and since its invention, merely 9% of plastic has ever been recycled. Plastics, which take thousands of years to biodegrade, have created a massive pollution crisis. The global textile industry generates over 100 billion units of waste, producing 92 million tons annually—87% of which ends up in landfills. Alarmingly, 60% of landfill content consists of non-biodegradable materials like nylon and polyester.

The Impact of Plastic Pollution

Plastic degrades into microplastics through fragmentation and sedimentation, polluting water bodies and entering the food chain via marine life.

Sustainable Solutions by Sensible Earth

Mr. Sanjiv presented the impactful work of Sensible Earth, which aims to reduce single-use plastics and promote sustainable living. Their initiatives include:

* Creating 1,35,000 cloth bags from pre-loved fabric, thereby diverting textile waste from landfills

* Refusing 30 lakh plastic bags

* Saving 1,10,000 garments from ending up in landfills

These efforts have also created employment opportunities for women, reinforcing social sustainability.

Key Takeaways

1. WWW – Understanding the what, where, and why of different types of waste

2. Financial, global, and environmental – Evaluating the broader consequences of our actions

3. Abundance and the 2° shift – While resources are abundant, a change in mindset is essential to effectively tackle environmental challenges

The session concluded with a thoughtful gesture: each attendee received a cloth bag made from used fabric, symbolizing the importance of individual action in reducing plastic waste.

The event was a resounding success, organised my Ms Elaine Dias and Mr Clifford Britto, leaving attendees inspired to contribute meaningfully towards a more sustainable future.