Waste to Wealth: ITI Berhampur Designs 30-Feet Tall Bottle Eater Fish Sculpture

Berhampur: Embarking on a campaign to promote a plastic-free water culture, the Odisha Government-run Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Berhampur has designed a 30-feet tall bottle eater fish sculpture.

This monumental fish sculpture has been constructed by the students of ITI Berhampur from 20,000 waste plastic bottles. It was inaugurated on the occasion of Global Recycling Day.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Amit Garg, CEO, TPSODL and Dr. Rajat Kumar Panigrahi, Principal of Govt. ITI Berhampur.

ITI Berhampur actively champions the “waste to wealth” concept. Their commitment is evident in the establishment of a unique scrap park showcasing numerous sculptures crafted from discarded materials. The initiative has garnered recognition both at the national and international levels.

The unique fish sculpture by ITI Berhampur resonates with the objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water, which emphasizes the crucial need to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources, by preventing thousands of plastic bottles from entering landfills or potentially ending up in our oceans.

“The project tackles plastic pollution, a major threat to aquatic ecosystems. Plastic debris entangles and harms marine life, disrupts food chains, and pollutes the delicate ocean environment. By effectively up cycling plastic bottles into an impactful art installation, Govt. ITI Berhampur raises awareness about this critical issue and promotes responsible waste management practices” Dr. Panigrahi said.

The meticulous design process began in February, and the project involves the collaborative efforts of students from various trades like fitter, mechanic, agriculture, painter, and electrician, along with their instructors.

Notably, on Gandhi Jayanti last year, the institute unveiled a remarkable 23-foot elephant sculpture entirely from 30,000 used plastic bottles. This initiative further highlights the institute’s continuous efforts in aligning its actions with national environmental missions.