By Suma Adapala | Development Director
Some of the highlights of Akshaya Patra in Q1 2011:
Akshaya Patra’s environmental goal is to economically, hygienically, and efficiently prepare and deliver school lunches. Annually, Akshaya Patra serves over 305 million individual meals to school children. If these meals were prepared using inefficient methods (including burning of wood or charcoal), there would be a high level of environmental impact. However, Akshaya Patra has addressed this problem by preparing meals in an environmentally-friendly manner, greatly reducing the use of fuel for cooking and drastically decreasing food waste.
Some eco-friendly initiatives being piloted at some of the Akshaya Patra kitchens:
Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) – In order to address concerns of hygiene everything that is procured, is thoroughly washed. This includes rice, vegetables and lentils. The water used for washing contains nutrients and is used for bio-culture. Waste water is also used for washing vehicles.
Rainwater Harvesting – Hubli in the state of Karnataka receives substantial amount of rainfall and in a bid to use this, Akshaya Patra has adopted rainwater harvesting. The rain water is routed into a pond. The water retained in the pond continuously recharges the bore wells, and reduces dependency on corporation water.
Bio-Gas Plant – The kitchens generate by-products and organic waste such as vegetable peelings etc in large quantities on a daily basis. Proper disposal of the waste poses challenges. The bio gas plant ensures that by-products can be converted into fuel for cooking purposes.
Vermi-composting – By-products and organic wastes are currently addressed through vermi-composting and will be fully replaced by the bio-gas plant.
Thermite Briquette Boiler – As a measure to reduce air pollution, a briquette boiler has been installed. Briquettes are sustainable alternates to conventional fuels and are made of agri-waste, consisting of compressed groundnut shells and grain husks. They also reduce carbon emission and constitute a big step towards achieving a green system.
We are counting on your generous support. This will be the best return on your investment, so please consider making Akshaya Patra the philanthropy of your choice. Children are the ultimate beneficiaries.
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