MUMBAI, 30 AUGUST 2026 | GPN, SACHIN MURDESHWAR: Ahead of the upcoming Plastics Recycling Show India (PRSI) and Bharat Recycling Show (BRS) 2026, a Plastic Waste Collection Drive brought together students, volunteers and organisers for a morning of collective action at Ismail Yusuf College, Mumbai, on 22 August 2026.

Organised by Media Fusion and Crain Communications, and presented by Plastics Recycling Show India and Bharat Recycling Show, the initiative was conducted in association with Keshav Srushti (NGO) and Ismail Yusuf College to engage young people directly in responsible waste management and demonstrate how discarded material can be brought back into productive use.

The drive saw participation from approximately 180 students, including NCC cadets and students of Ismail Yusuf College, who came together with volunteers from Keshav Srushti (NGO) and members of the Media Fusion team. Collectively, they gathered an impressive 300 bags of legacy plastic waste from the surrounding area.

The collected plastic will now be sent for recycling and transformed into recycled plastic benches that will be given back to Ismail Yusuf College – completing the journey from discarded waste to a useful resource for the very community that participated in collecting it.

Mr. Vinay Nathani, Secretary, Keshav Srushti (NGO), said “Such initiatives help students understand the impact of plastic littering by engaging with the issue first-hand. When young people participate in collecting legacy plastic waste, they become more conscious of their own actions and can also encourage positive behavioural change within their families and communities. At Keshav Srushti, we have been conducting such initiatives for several years, with a focus on ensuring that collected plastic is processed and transformed into useful products.”

Mr. Neelakantan Iyer, Joint Secretary, Keshav Srushti (NGO), said “Engaging children in sustainability initiatives is becoming an increasingly important focus for us. Their participation and the impact they can create within society are a major thrust for Keshav Srushti. We were happy to see more than 300 children participate in this initiative, and we look forward to partnering on many more such programmes in the future.”

Prof. Sameer Vairagi, NSS Programme Officer, Ismail Yusuf College, Mumbai, said “Mobilizing youth for environmental action is at the very core of the NSS philosophy. Seeing our volunteers take full ownership of the plastic collection and segregation drive at Ismail Yusuf College was inspiring. Experiential learning of this nature builds true social accountability and leadership. We look forward to driving many more such high-impact sustainability initiatives on campus and in our surrounding communities.”

Mr. Prathmesh Mestry, Student Leader & Volunteer, NSS Unit, Ismail Yusuf College, Mumbai, said “Participating in the Plastic Recycling Drive on 22 August 2026 was a truly transformative experience for all of us. Getting our hands dirty with waste collection and segregation made us realize that environmental responsibility starts with individual action, not just sanitation staff. Working together as a team showed us the real power of collective student effort, and we are now committed to making our campus and homes plastic-free.”

Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion, said “Meaningful change does not always have to begin with large interventions. Small, consistent efforts can create awareness, influence behaviour and encourage young people to think differently about the resources around them.”

The initiative is part of the continued efforts by Media Fusion and Crain Communications, organisers of PRSI and BRS, to take conversations around recycling beyond the exhibition floor. By involving students in practical initiatives such as this, the organisers aim to encourage greater environmental responsibility among young people and build awareness around recycling and circularity at the community level.

The conversation will continue at Plastics Recycling Show India and Bharat Recycling Show 2026, taking place from 31 August – 2 September 2026 at Hall 4, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The co-located shows will bring together recyclers, manufacturers, technology providers, policymakers and industry leaders to explore the future of recycling and circularity in India.