Campus Times | Lucknow 

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) has strengthened its commitment to sustainable waste management with the inauguration of a Composting and Vermicomposting Station on campus. The facility, located behind the Green House, was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal.

The initiative has been developed by research scholar Roshini Bajaj from the Department of Environmental Science under the guidance of Dr. Jiwan Singh and Prof. Shikha.

During the inauguration, Roshini Bajaj presented a sample of vermicompost produced at the facility to the Vice-Chancellor. Appreciating the effort, Prof. Mittal described the project as a remarkable example of how research, innovation and determination can be transformed into impactful and sustainable ventures.

Encouraging students and researchers to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, he emphasized that universities should nurture not only academic excellence but also future job creators. He further suggested scaling up the initiative to a commercial level so that its products can reach broader markets and serve as a model for sustainable entrepreneurship.

In its first phase, the facility comprises four cemented composting and vermicomposting bins, a bamboo-based vermireactor, two high-speed rotary drum composters and ten agitated windrows. At present, approximately 2,000 kilograms of leaf waste is being processed into nutrient-rich organic compost.

Spread across nearly 250 acres, the BBAU campus generates around 10,000 kilograms of leaf litter annually. The newly established unit aims to scientifically process this biomass through composting and vermicomposting, contributing significantly to the University’s long-term goal of becoming a Zero-Waste Campus.

The project team expressed gratitude to the University administration for supporting the startup initiative by providing essential infrastructure and equipment, including a biomass shredder, a tricycle trolley rickshaw and a dedicated composting shed.

Faculty members of the Department of Environmental Science stated that the initiative represents a successful convergence of sustainability, innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship, offering a practical model for environmentally responsible campus development.

The programme was attended by senior faculty members including Prof. K.K. Pandey, Prof. Manoj Joshi, Dr. Amod Singh, Prof. Naveen Kumar Arora, Proctor Prof. Ram Chandra, Head of the Department of Environmental Science Prof. Venkatesh Dutta, along with faculty members, staff, research scholars and students.