Eco Clean 2.0 – Blog article

 

Eco Clean 2.0 – Blog article

Eco Clean 2.0 is a sustainability-driven initiative by Leo Club of University of Colombo aimed at promoting responsible waste management, responsible consumption, environmental awareness, and youth engagement through practical action. Designed to go beyond awareness campaigns, the project focuses on empowering young people with real-world exposure to sustainable practices, encouraging them to become active contributors to a cleaner, greener future.

Under the second phase of the project, Eco Clean 2.0, named “Beyond the Bin”, a hands-on learning programme was successfully conducted on 30th January 2026 in Kuliyapitiya, with the valuable support of the Kuliyapitiya Urban Council and the Pradeshiya Sabha. This phase was specifically designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by exposing participants to operational waste management and resource recovery systems.

The programme included field visits to a composting facility, a biogas and liquid fertilizer production centre, and a solid waste management centre in Kuliyapitiya. These visits allowed participants to observe how waste is managed at different stages and how sustainable systems function within a local government framework.

A major highlight of the programme was the in-depth exposure to composting practices, where participants witnessed the complete process of converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. The composting facility clearly demonstrated how household and institutional waste can be sustainably managed while producing valuable fertilizer for agriculture, presenting composting as a practical and impactful solution to current waste challenges. Also, the participants were made aware about managing electronic waste, land filling, faeces refinery and biogas production.

In addition, the Pradeshiya Sabha conducted a highly informative lecture on responsible consumption, further strengthening participants’ understanding of the importance of mindful consumption patterns and effective waste reduction at both individual and institutional levels.

The beneficiaries of the programme were undergraduates pursuing the Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at the Technical College, Kuliyapitiya. Through direct engagement with these systems, participants gained practical knowledge on composting processes, renewable energy generation through biogas, and the conversion of organic waste into valuable agricultural inputs relevant to their field of study.

The project emphasized the importance of smart waste management practices and highlighted how waste can be transformed into resources, reinforcing the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. By engaging youth directly with real-world operations, the programme fostered environmental awareness, responsibility, and leadership.

Eco Clean 2.0 continues to reflect a strong commitment to sustainability, community service, and youth empowerment, standing as a testament to the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding and action.