Education needs to be dynamic and adoptive to the changing needs and priorities, while simultaneously providing an arena of freedom to the young innovative and questioning minds. Gradually declining numbers of pupils opting for basic sciences is indeed a disturbing trend. For reversing this trend and for tapping the younger talents science education should be made simpler through practical training right from a primary level itself.

While more and more sophistication in analytical and synthetic techniques to make a subject like chemistry, greener, is gaining, momentum, for a host of well defined reasons in developing countries, simpler strategies involving least wastage, recycling, reusing and reclaiming need to be explored.

The present poster highlights the use and applications of some workable green demonstrations, involving the solid waste generated in a chemistry laboratory.

Melting points have been determined using solid substances as bath as against conc. H2SO4, liquid paraffin etc.

The filter paper shreds (raw and virgin) left after cutting circles have been converted to a pulp being rich cellulosoic and water retaining is ideally suited as beds for growing edible mushrooms.

Recycling of secondary raw material is an important part of green chemistry. Used carbon sheets have been used for filtering hot solutions, for conserving heat, to protect light sensitive chemicals, reagents & reactions.

Glass is an equally important solid waste. Reengineering of broken glass items to useful alternatives has been encouraging. Several examples are cited & illustrated.

Fly ash, a thermal power plant waste along with the other lab generated waste is being put to use on various fronts.

All these ideas projected here comply with the green principles and are worth attempting for the survival of chemistry especially under stringent conditions in terms of grants, natural resources (water), energy (electricity), equipments & glasswares.