PRESS RELEASE
CLIMATE ACTION MONTH 2026
Kuppai Thiruvizha - Zero Waste Carnival
Date: Friday, 17th July
Venue: Prince Shri Venkateshwara Arts and Science College
Chennai
For Immediate Release
What happens when waste warriors, eco-preneurs, students, innovators, and changemakers come together? You get Kuppai Thiruvizha, Chennai's flagship zero-waste carnival, where sustainability comes alive through ideas, innovation, and collective action.
Organised on Friday, July 17, by the Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) in collaboration with Prince Shri Venkateshwara College of Arts and Science, Gowrivakkam, Tambaram, Chennai, the festival transformed the campus into a vibrant celebration of zero-waste living. At its heart was a simple yet powerful message: waste is not the end of a story, it is the beginning of a new one.
As one of the signature events of 5th edition of Climate Action Month (CAM), Kuppai Thiruvizha has become a platform where people discover practical, inspiring, and creative solutions to one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges - the plastic crisis. This 11th edition of Kuppai Thiruvizha was inaugurated by Er. V. Prasanna Venkatesh, Vice Chairman, Prince Shri Venkateshwara Arts and Science College, who encouraged students to recognise that even small actions can make a meaningful difference in protecting the environment.
The event brought together over 2,500 participants and featured 25 zero-waste stalls, offering zero-waste products, hands-on experiences in waste segregation, upcycling, composting, sustainable products, and eco-friendly alternatives.
As described by S. Saroja, Executive Director of CAG, Kuppai Thiruvizha is a movement that encourages people to rethink their relationship with waste, embrace sustainable lifestyles, and recognise that every conscious choice can help build a cleaner, greener, and more climate-resilient Chennai.
The diversity of exhibitors reflected the many ways in which waste can be reimagined as a resource. Representing Goonj, Mr. Prunesh remarked that "waste is something to be celebrated," perfectly capturing the spirit behind the name Kuppai Thiruvizha. At the Kaagidhapoo stall, donated books found enthusiastic new readers, with Ms. Vanathi observing the affection visitors showed for giving books a second life. Meanwhile, Ms. Srujana of Wasted 360 Solutions highlighted how thrifting offers college students an affordable way to access fashionable clothing while extending the life of garments and reducing textile waste.
From palm leaf calligraphy and millet snacks packed in reusable cloth pouches to handcrafted crochet bags, every stall celebrated sustainable living and conscious consumer choices. Reinforcing the festival's broader environmental message, Mr. Selvam of FEMA Trust reminded participants that "we are a part of nature," adding that protecting existing trees is often even more valuable than planting new ones.
More than an exhibition, Kuppai Thiruvizha was a call to action, demonstrating that sustainability is not a luxury but a way of life, and that every individual has a role to play in creating a cleaner
Press contact: Vamsi Sankar Kapilavai, Mobile: +91 9493892929
Email ID: vamsishankar.kapilavai@cag.org.in
About CAG: Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) is a forty-year-old non-profit, non-political and professional organisation that works towards protecting citizens' rights in consumer and environmental issues and promoting good governance processes, including transparency, accountability and participatory decision-making.