Sat Jul 05 15:37:27 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Chennai Tackles Sacred Waste with Dignity and Respect

**Chennai, July 5, 2025** – An innovative initiative is helping Chennai residents respectfully dispose of old religious items, addressing the challenge of discarding objects imbued with sentimental and spiritual value. The program, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Bangalore, RT Nagar and Sri Kamakshi Aarsha Samskriti Trust, in association with TVR Subbi Chetty Vasantha Mandapam and Spreco (recycling partner), will hold its first collection drive in Mylapore on July 13th from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

The initiative provides a dignified solution for disposing of items like faded photos, damaged sloka books, and old “panchangam” (religious calendars), which many are hesitant to simply throw away. Participants are asked to bring items in sturdy cloth or jute bags and will be charged a service fee of ₹300 to cover operational costs.

The collected materials undergo a careful process. Items in good condition are cleaned and repurposed, while damaged materials are respectfully recycled. Crucially, a special “Udvasana pooja” ritual is performed before recycling to symbolically remove the divinity from the objects and merge it with the “panchaboothas” (five elements). This ritual offers solace and peace of mind to those parting with cherished items.

This model has already proven successful in Bengaluru, where 16 drives have recovered 15 tonnes of material. Organizers highlight the labor-intensive nature of the process, which involves meticulous sorting of mixed materials like frames, glass, and wood. The service fee contributes towards transportation, labor, priest honorarium, and venue rental.

While expanding the initiative remains challenging due to difficulties in securing material recovery facilities, the organizers are eager to welcome interested groups to bring the program to other parts of Chennai. The Bengaluru drives have also incorporated a swapping element, allowing individuals to acquire items, and a resale vendor is on hand to purchase gently used goods.

Interested parties can contact the organizers at cpp.hebbal@gmail.com and skast.trust@gmail.com for more information.

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