MET Institute of Management
Launch of Maharashtra’s 1st Circular Lab at MET IOM
'MET IOM Circular Lab' – India’s 1st Circular Lab in collaboration with ICCE, New Delhi was inaugurated by Dr. Ramesh Unnikrishnan, Adviser – AICTE in the presence of stalwarts in the field of environment and sustainability such as Mr. Atul Bagai, Country Head, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mr. Anirban Ghosh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mr. Rahul V Poddar, Managing Director, The Shakti Plastic Inc and Mr. Karan Thakkar, Founder and CEO, Threco – The Recycling Co. and many more delegates, academicians, industry professionals and media.
The living laboratory is expected to provide seamless transfer of knowledge from research findings, reusability and replicability tools to help foster effective transformational solutions for business and society.
International Research Conference on ‘Transitioning Towards A Circular Economy – Opportunities & Challenges’
Taking the theme of sustainability forward, MET IOM in collaboration with ICCE (International Council for Circular Economy) had organized an International Research Conference on ‘Transitioning Towards A Circular Economy – Opportunities & Challenges’ on 19th November, 2022. National and international researchers exhibited their novel research on topics related to sustainability and circularity.
Circular thinking has always been prevalent in Indian society; its fundamental tenet being that value generation must be separated from resource use. For our industrial systems to become more competitive and less reliant on resources, a development strategy that promotes the best use of resources is the need of the hour.
To take a holistic view of products and processes, a circular thinking and an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account socio-technical, managerial, and environmental variables are required for this paradigm shift. The ultimate aim of this conference was to create a platform of innovative strategies that would help businesses to smoothly transition from a linear to a circular economy, inclusive of thought leaders and usable by all.
Zero Waste Campus Initiative
Marking the end of the Zero Waste Week (30th March, 2023 to 5th April, 2023), the Circular Lab & the Social Cause Committee at MET IOM unveiled the eco-brick table at the hands of actor and social entrepreneurs, Mr. Karanvir Bohra and Ms. Teejay Sidhu.
The Social Cause Committee, showcasing its pledge to waste management and sustainability, created a writing table using eco-bricks made from non-recyclable waste, i.e. PET bottles and single-use plastic. The initiative was started by the Social Cause Committee in February 2023, where student members began collecting single-use plastic waste from students of MET IOM. Students then created eco-bricks using the waste generated from the Institute and made a table of it. This recycled table would be donated to underprivileged students who are a part of the Adhyapan Initiative of the Institute.
At the event, the Sustainability Initiatives and Zero Waste Audit Report were also inaugurated. The Audit Report, in which the data was collected and assessed by ICCE, evaluates the Institute’s efforts in creating a Green Campus and raising awareness about green initiatives at the Institute.
Internal Audit of The Campus
Our aim is to sensitize students, staff and society about the importance of Waste Management. In March 2022, MET Institute of Management adopted Sustainability Initiatives, which outline new goals that will lead the campus to become zero-waste. Our zero-waste goals are as follows:
- The dry waste generated would be segregated in the appropriate manner and sent for recycling.
- Limit the use of plastic on the campus.
- Awareness programs would be conducted towards zero-waste.
In order to perform the internal audit, the process included different data collection tools such as physical inspection of the campus, interviewing key persons, and filling the questionnaire provided by ICCE. The study covered the following areas to epitomize the current status of environment management on campus: Energy Conservation, Water Management, Waste Management, E-waste Management, and Green Area Management.
Circular Economy Lab Initiatives and Zero Waste Audit Report
MET Cero Lab – A New Chapter for Sustainability Education in India!
We are pleased to announce that MET Institute of Management, Mumbai, and Cero Hero, Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the MET Cero Lab and launch Cero Id. MET is the first institution in India to implement this initiative. Cero Hero is a climate tech startup headquartered in Espoo, Finland.
Just as academic transcripts record educational achievements, Cero Id is designed to help students build a verified record of sustainability and climate-positive actions throughout their university journey.
The MET Cero Lab will offer students opportunities to engage in sustainability projects, climate innovation challenges, community initiatives, circular economy programs, and environmental leadership activities. These verified actions will be recorded in their Cero Id, building a measurable sustainability portfolio alongside academic credentials.
At a time when employers, institutions, and society are increasingly seeking responsible and purpose-driven leaders, Cero Id aims to make sustainability action visible, credible, and recognized.
It is heartening that MET Institute of Management is the first in India to adopt the Cero Id and Cero Lab framework, demonstrating its commitment to preparing future leaders who actively practice sustainability. We sincerely thank Mr. Saiteja Annareddy, Founder & CEO, Cero Hero, for his vision, trust, and commitment to developing the next generation of climate-conscious graduates. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Team Finland India and Business Finland for their ongoing support and commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and collaboration between Finland and India.
This represents more than a partnership. It marks the beginning of a movement to make sustainability an integral part of every student’s identity.
