Coimbatore: As part of the Plastic Free July global movement, the team at SUEZ organised a workplace workshop focused on small, practical shifts in daily habits. More than 50 staff members participated, including field supervisors and project personnel from the Coimbatore 24×7 Water Supply Project.

The session was led by Dr. Bhuvana Jeevanandam, a retired Post Graduate School Teacher, with a lifelong passion for environmental awareness, who passionately spoke about the long-term consequences of plastic use—from clogged water bodies and overflowing landfills to the threat it poses to biodiversity and human health. She didn’t deliver a lecture. Instead, she spoke like a neighbour might — candidly and without judgment. “Plastic is everywhere, but awareness starts with noticing the little things,” she shared, inviting the group to think not in extremes, but in honest, manageable changes.

The conversation struck a chord. From forgotten cloth bags to take-out containers and workplace packaging, employees opened up about the everyday challenges of avoiding plastic. There was no push for perfection — only encouragement to stay mindful and start somewhere.

Sangram Pattanayak, Project Director of the Coimbatore 24×7 Water Supply Project Director addressed the gathering and remarked, “This isn’t just about infrastructure or systems. It’s about values. We’re here to build a better water network — and a more responsible relationship with the environment. That begins with awareness, and awareness begins with conversations like this.”

Even before the workshop begins, the conversations it has sparked are already promising. Some teams have started discussing how they might reduce plastic use in procurement. A few are thinking aloud about setting up green corners or gentle reminders in workspaces. Nothing is official yet — and that’s the beauty of it. The energy is organic, and the intent is already taking root.