Striving to Impact Coonoor and its Environs –
Enduring Impacts, that inspire, elevate, and enrich the lives of people.
A Registered Charitable Public Trust with Solid Waste Management as its area of focus. It is our firm opinion that the role of a Non Governmental Organisation, is to reach out into areas wherever the government machinery needs support.
As waste management in general and safe waste disposal in particular are areas of concern, we try supplementing the local body’s efforts, by operating a Waste Management Facility which deals in all kinds of Municipal Solid Waste. In addition we hold periodical cleanups drives involving volunteers and other like-minded organisations, conduct awareness drives on civic issues through lectures, discourses, and other similar activities.
Our interventions do not stop with waste management alone. Eco-restoration, revival and restoration of heritage buildings, and promotion of art and culture, are some of our other undertakings.
Cleanups
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Employee Welfare
Participative Learning
Consultative Activities
Community Mobilisation
Heritage
Waterbody Protection
Nature Walks
A Message from the Managing Trustee
I am happy to share the Annual Report of 2024-25 which not only reflects the progress we have made – but as well shows the need for acceleration in addressing the triple planetary crisis – referring to the interconnected issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
A major highlight on our key area of focus – waste management – is the sustained reduction of the carbon footprint generated by our activities involving waste disposal – by choosing measures both active and passive.
The CO2 Equivalent Savings for this year stands at a monthly average of 126 metric tons as compared with the average of 85 metric tons for the entire period of operations starting from January of 2020.
This has been largely achieved by ensuring zero disposal through landfilling – by broadening the designation of recyclables in a way that those which are normally considered as non-recyclable fall within the ambit of an Alternate Fuel Resource (AFR) which can be used for energy capture. When economics do not permit the production and transportation of AFR, disposal of the same is done by on-site incineration using No-Fuel Controlled Oxygen Rotating Technology (CORT) with Carbon Capture, rather than conventional incineration which uses fuel.
Our long term investment to minimise waste and mitigate the waste crisis is passive – by involving neighbourhoods to keep their surroundings clean and assuring segregation at source – and by organising Facility Tours for Schools and Colleges.
On the Ecosystem Restoration Front which fights bio-diversity loss we have presently tied up in an advisory capacity with the defence establishment to create an eco-park by rejuvenating a large piece of degraded wetland.
Progress is being made, but the challenge ahead is to accelerate this progress so that it moves faster than the intensification of the triple planetary crisis. Clean Coonoor will work tirelessly to help make this happen – through deploying local based solutions, boosting the implementation of the Coonoor Model in other parts of the district – and backing like minded organisations both governmental and non-governmental – to promote climate stability, live in harmony with nature and to forge a pollution-free future.
Recents
03 Jul 2025 – E-Waste Collection Drive by students of Laidlaw Memorial School & Jr. College, Ketti
19 Jun 2025 – Hands on training for Panchayat Union Staff
“Wonderful work! Keep it up. It’s a yeoman service to Coonoor! Thank You.”
Rohini & Nandan Nilekani
“Waste Management and processing practices are best fit for our native municipalities. We are quite excited to install this type of Waste Management system at our level.
Medan Gauli
“Learning by doing and focus sector experience is very recommendable.”
Valentin Post
“Very Encouraging to see the work being done by the Clean Coonoor Trust. I was touched to see the sincerity, commitment and dedication to the work people have here. I wish more power to ‘Clean Coonoor’ and pledge to support in any possible way. Heartening to see the Tree Plantation efforts of the ‘Jain Sangh’ is appreciable. I wish there are more organisations like Clean Coonoor to make transformational change.”
Supriya Sahu
“Herculean effort, but the dedication and the passion of the people at the plant is the force behind the success!”
Mr. D Ashok
“Just just amazing work being done by Clean Coonoor and the team. Hats off to you. Unbelievable is what I’ve seen & experienced. So so proud of you and your work. Thank you & well done. God bless.”
Pradeep Kar
“Well maintained facility, passionate workforce. Good coordination with the local municipality. Capacity enhancement to be planned. Overall, a very good initiative.”
T. Lakshmi Bhavya IAS
“Neatly managed wet waste and dry waste management centre. Innovative ideas incorporated in the functioning of the Unit. The date is self speaking reflecting the efficiency of the unit. Good to hear that no legacy waste exists in and around Coonoor. Looking forward to have future connectivity for northern States. Best wishes to Dr. Vasanthan and his team.
Anil Joshi IFS
“The waste management park and facility managed by Clean Coonoor is an excellent example of public-private partnership and social responsibility. I appreciate the efforts taken by the NGO to involve themselves in this initiative. I wish them every success and assure them of our whole hearted appreciation!”
J. Innocent Divya IAS
“A really inspiring visit. Kudos to Samantha and Dr Vasanth for creating utility from waste and for serving the community at the same time as protecting the environment and helping us to stay healthy. Also, lovely to see the garden and smiling faces of the workers. A healthy environment is necessary for a healthy life.”
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
“Very Genuine and excellent work by RRC under PPP mode. Good example from Coonoor as to how SWM can be maintained so cleanly.”
Justice Dr. P. Jyothimani
“As a Coonoor resident and advocate for sustainability, I am a proud supporter of Clean Coonoor’s work. I’ve been using Clean Coonoor’s nutrient-dense compost in my garden, and I’m impressed by its quality. It is a perfect example of how we can close the loop in our local ecosystem – turning our waste into a valuable resource reduces landfill use, creates jobs, and fosters community responsibility. It’s a model for how small towns can lead in sustainable practices.”
