CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Harsh Mehrotra as Co-founder and CEO Blue Nudge, with over 15 years of hardcore corporate experience under his belt, Harsh Mehrotra, the alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, now leads Blue Nudge C-Suite as Co-founder and CEO. Mehrotra, the man behind India’s unique Education-to-Action platform, brought sustainable education and Collective Responsibility Drive in over 1064+ schools, reaching out to more than 10,62,850+ students and has nudged 15930+ supportive teachers, leads an organization with a clear vision and sharp business acumen.
1- Could you elaborate on the milestones you have achieved since the foundation of Blue Nudge and how they demonstrate your growth and leadership in the waste management sector?
Since the foundation of Blue Nudge, we have achieved significant milestones in the waste management sector, showcasing our growth and leadership. One notable achievement is the successful implementation of our “Collective Responsibility Drive” (CRD). Through this initiative, we collaborated with schools, institutions, and organizations passionate about environmental conservation. Our drive encouraged individuals to practice source segregation and collect waste for at least three months. As a result, we collected segregated waste from government schools in Delhi, with the support of the Department of Education, Government of NCT. Additionally, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular for Delhi/NCR, endorsing our approach.
Furthermore, we extended our reach by partnering with the Delhi – S&T Cluster of PSA, GOI, to run a similar drive with colleges affiliated with Delhi University. In total, we upcycled the collected waste into 1000+ plastic benches, which were donated to government schools in Haryana.
Our immersive dedication in the waste management field was also recognized by NITI Aayog, as they selected our initiative as one of the top 75 ideas under their Mission Life. This recognition further validates our commitment to fostering a climate-conscious society. Notably, we were also able to expand our drive to include prominent forces like the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), enhancing our influence and establishing ourselves as leaders in the waste management sector.
- Please mention some notable examples of your collaborations with educational institutions and how they have impacted in inspiring young minds to become change-makers for a sustainable future?
Our collaborations with educational institutions have had a profound impact on inspiring young minds to become change-makers for a sustainable future. Through our partnership with the Department of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, we successfully implemented our waste management drive in over 1000 government schools. This initiative not only engaged the students but also indirectly influenced their parents. Additionally, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular for Delhi/NCR, endorsing our approach and further spreading the message of environmental responsibility among the student community. Furthermore, our collaboration with the Delhi – S&T Cluster of PSA, GOI allowed us to extend our drive to colleges affiliated with Delhi University, reaching even more students and empowering them to actively participate in waste management efforts. Collectively, these collaborations resulted in the collection of over 50+ tonnes of dry waste, including paper and plastic, and played a pivotal role in inspiring a new generation of environmentally-conscious individuals.
- What strategies or initiatives do you have in place to engage and educate students/learners/individuals about waste management and environmental sustainability? What are your future plans?
Our approach to engaging and educating students, learners, and individuals about waste management and environmental sustainability involves various strategies and initiatives. We prioritize consensus with the school’s leadership to ensure successful implementation. Teachers Training Programs equip educators with knowledge and tools, while Blue Nudge Ambassadors in each class serve as role models. Additionally, we organize Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities within the school premises to raise awareness and engage students in practical experiences related to waste management and sustainability.
Looking ahead, our future plans involve expanding our reach to over 5000 schools in the coming years. Through these efforts, we aspire to make schools greener and cultivate a generation of environmentally-conscious students who are passionate about protecting the planet. We remain dedicated to creating a sustainable future and inspiring young minds to become proactive change-makers in their communities.
- So far, what has been the outcome of your objective to integrate waste management and sustainability in academic curriculums?
The outcome of our objective to integrate waste management and sustainability into academic curricula has been promising. Through our initiative, we aim to make students, parents, and schools more climate-conscious by practicing source segregation of waste. A tangible measure of success is seen in students actively participating in the process of bringing dry waste back to school, which is then up-cycled into school benches and donated to government schools. While behaviour change is a long-term process, we take pride in the efforts made by both students and parents in contributing to waste management, showcasing their growing awareness and commitment to creating a sustainable future.
- What changes have your education modules brought in society and what changes do you expect in the future?
Our education modules are still new, and it is too early to fully evaluate their impact. However, we have seen a positive response from schools and parents who eagerly embrace our platform. There is a clear demand for promoting waste management and environmental sustainability in education. Going forward, we anticipate our modules will foster a sense of environmental responsibility and empower a proactive generation to address waste management challenges and build a sustainable future.
- How did you strategize your module and how do you implement it?
Our module strategy revolves around being an ED-Act platform, combining storytelling with real-life actions. By reflecting current scenarios and implementing tangible measures, we create an impactful learning experience that inspires individuals to take action for positive change in waste management and environmental sustainability.
- How many volunteers are associated with your organization?
As mentioned earlier, every school that we partner with has 10 – 20 Blue Nudge ambassadors who works with us as a volunteers for the drive. Therefore, the number of volunteers associated with our organization varies based on the number of schools we collaborate with.
