Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a significant leap toward environmental sustainability with a high-impact waste management initiative at Eden Gardens during the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 season.
Over the course of their first five home matches, the defending champions successfully diverted more than 35,113 kilograms of waste from landfills, showcasing the power of sport in driving ecological awareness and community participation.
🔹 Multi-Pronged Waste Management Strategy
KKR’s initiative was powered by a comprehensive approach:
- 200+ waste segregation bins were installed throughout the stadium.
- A dedicated Green Team helped spectators with proper disposal and maintained cleanliness.
- Anti-litter campaigns and educational signage promoted responsible fan behavior.
- Waste management training was given to food stall vendors and catering teams.
The collected waste was meticulously sorted into over 10 different categories, including food scraps, paper, plastic bottles, aluminium foil, and more. These were then routed to local recycling plants, composting units, and upcycling facilities.
🔹 Sustainability Impact in Numbers
- ♻️ Recycled: 27,194 kgs
- 🌱 Composted: 4,885 kgs
- 🔁 Upcycled: 2,826 kgs (including KKR flags)
- 🍱 Food Donated: 207 kgs
This initiative is part of KKR’s broader sustainability roadmap, which also included the unveiling of their eco-friendly jersey packaging earlier this season under their ‘Runs to Roots’ campaign.
🔹 Juhi Chawla on KKR’s Green Vision
KKR Co-Owner Juhi Chawla shared her thoughts in a press release:
“Cricket has the power to unite and inspire, and at KKR, we believe it is also a powerful platform to promote sustainability. Through this waste management initiative, we’re taking meaningful steps toward reducing our environmental impact and encouraging our fans to be part of the solution.”
She thanked volunteers, waste workers, ground partners, and the fans for their collective role in this green movement.
🔹 KKR’s IPL 2025 Campaign: A Mixed Bag
Despite their commendable off-field efforts, the on-field journey for KKR hasn’t gone as planned. After a washout against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the team is out of playoff contention, currently sitting sixth on the points table with:
- ✅ 5 wins
- ❌ 6 losses
- 🌧️ 2 no results
(Total: 12 points)
KKR will play their final league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Delhi on Sunday.