Techies on Kochi to Kanyakumari bicycle tour to beat plastic pollution

KOCHI: With the trend tilting to go green campaigns, a group of techies is planning a one-week bicycle tour, 'Replace Plastic' from Kochi to Kanyakumari .


AccelerateSD, a non-governmental organization formed by a group of techies in the age group of 25-30, kickstarted the event in Kochi at 8am on Thursday.

The aim is to cover 350km in seven days by covering 50km daily. The second day starts from Alappuzha to Kollam on Friday, followed by Varkala, Kovalam , Poovar and finally reaching Kanyakumari on Tuesday.

The tour includes conducting awareness programmes at beaches as they are the most polluted. Participants will also collect plastic waste from beaches. They will also meet local stakeholders to discuss about plastic pollution and will conduct a research on companies contributing to plastic pollution and harming marine life.

"Currently, there are only six participants. Although the event has no age restrictions, AccelerateSD wants more youths to volunteer so as to sensitize them about issues like plastic pollution," said project associate Jaseem Shahid.

"Waste collected from beaches during the drive will be parcelled and send to Green Worms, a Kerala-based social business for plastic waste segregation, processing, disposal and recycling," said Shahid.

Once the tour gets over, the NGO will launch 'Replace Plastic Ideathon', a two-day event with an aim to bring people from different walks of life under one platform to brainstorm their ideas and present their innovative solutions to tackle and beat plastic pollution.