Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

Government of India

INDIA’S CIRCULAR SUTRA

A COMPENDIUM OF GOOD PR ACTICES

RECYCLING AND RRR CENTRES WASTE-TO-WEALTH WASTE-TO-WONDER

RESOURCE RECOVERY

WET WASTE DECENTRALISED PLASTIC WASTE WASTE-TO-ENERGY

MANAGEMENT WASTE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT & BIOFUELS

LEGACY WASTE WASTEWATER PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT INNOVATIVE

MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY- INTERVENTIONS
DUMPSITE REMEDIATION BASED INITIATIVES
TITLE
India’s Circular Sutra: A Compendium of Good Practices

PUBLISHER
National Institute of Urban Affairs, Delhi

YEAR OF PUBLISHING
2025

CREDITS
Ms Paramita Datta Dey, Head (Resources And Waste)
Dr Mahreen Matto, Team Lead (SCBP)
Ms Nabamalika Joardar, Head - Communications and Strategy
Ms Priya Upadhyay, Senior Project Associate
Mr Gaurav Verma, Research Associate
Ms Tanya Ahmed, Program Officer
Mr Anant Mitra, Program Officer
Ms Garima Agarwal, Program Assistant
Ms Tanya Singh, Communications Associate
Ms Faiza Hazarika, Communications Associate
Ms Aishwarya Bali, Junior Program Associate
Ms Mani Chauhan, Climate Intern

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Design Team NIUA

DISCLAIMER
This document is intended as a compendium of Circular Economy Practices in India to help ULBs
to develop capacity and awareness regarding the good practices in the field of Circular Economy
and Sustainable Practices. While every effort has been made to ensure the correctness of data
and information used in this document, neither the authors nor NIUA accept any legal liability for
the accuracy or inferences drawn from the material contained therein or for any consequences
arising from the use of this material. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form
(electronic or mechanical) without prior permission from or intimation to NIUA.

THE FULL REPORT SHOULD BE REFERENCED AS FOLLOWS

NIUA (2025) “India’s Circular Sutra: A Compendium of Good Practices” Delhi, India

Text from this document can be quoted provided the source is acknowledged.
 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Government of India

INDIA’S CIRCULAR SUTRA

A COMPENDIUM OF GOOD PRACTICES
 The mantra of 3R – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - is at the
heart of any vision towards the sustainable development
of mankind. All stakeholders – producers, consumers, and
the State alike - must adhere to this golden principle which
can contribute significantly in solving the twin challenges of
waste management as well as sustainable development.
Eight Regional 3R Forum, 2018

Shri Narendra Modi

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
III
IV
V
 Preface

Smt Roopa Mishra

Joint Secretary and Mission Director,
SBM-U, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

The journey towards a circular economy is a defining challenge of our time, requiring
comprehensive policy interventions, technological innovations, and stakeholder engagement.
The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia-Pacific is a testament to the collective
resolve of governments, businesses, and civil society to advance sustainable development. The
imperative to transition towards circular societies is stronger than ever, given the growing
concerns surrounding resource scarcity, waste generation, and climate change.

India has been proactive in embedding circular economy principles into its developmental
agenda. The Swachh Bharat Mission, the Extended Producer Responsibility framework, and the
Circular Economy Roadmap are key initiatives that underline our commitment to sustainability.
The approach is not just about waste management but about rethinking the entire lifecycle of
materials and products. By fostering innovation, encouraging responsible consumption, and
incentivising recycling, we can create an economic model that minimises waste and maximises
value.

The role of cities in this transition cannot be overstated. Urban areas are hubs of consumption and
economic activity, making them critical actors in the circular economy transformation. Policies
that encourage sustainable urban infrastructure, resource-efficient industries, and community-
driven initiatives are essential to realising a resilient and environmentally responsible future.

This case study compendium highlights good practices from across India, showcasing innovative
and scalable solutions in waste management, resource conservation, and sustainable urban
development. These real-world examples serve as inspiration for policymakers, urban planners,
and industry leaders to replicate and adapt proven models in their respective domains. This
knowledge-sharing effort strengthens India’s leadership in advancing the circular economy
agenda, ensuring that progress is both inclusive and impactful.

Let us seize this moment to build a sustainable, circular future—one that safeguards our natural
resources, mitigates climate risks, and ensures prosperity for generations to come.

VI
 Acknowledgement

The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia-Pacific reaffirms the urgent need to
rethink our production and consumption patterns in the face of global environmental challenges.
This compendium on “India’s Circular Sutra: A Compendium of Good Practices”, aligns with
the Forum’s objectives by showcasing India’s commitment to circular economy principles and
sustainable waste management practices.

The document is the result of dedicated efforts from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs,
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, State
Governments, urban local bodies (ULBs), and individuals, all of whom have played a pivotal role
in shaping the Circular Economy landscape in India.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Minister of Housing and
Urban Affairs, whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in guiding this initiative. His
steadfast commitment to the principles of the Circular Economy continues to inspire urban
India.

A special thanks to Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs,
for his strategic direction and constant encouragement. His support has been pivotal in steering
the mission towards new heights and ensuring that cities across the country strive to meet their
waste management goals in alignment with regional and global 3R objectives.

I am also deeply grateful to Ms. Roopa Mishra, Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs, for her leadership and invaluable contributions to the documentation
process. Her role has been instrumental in ensuring that the document reflects the latest
advancements in circular economy practices across India.

I also appreciate the contribution of officials from the various allied Ministries and line
departments, State Governments and Union Territories whose contribution has been vital to
the development of this document. Their collective efforts have been integral in fostering a
sustainable waste management ecosystem in India.

My sincere thanks to all the cities that have contributed to and supported this initiative. Their
efforts continue to serve as a beacon of progress and innovation in the waste management
sector, inspiring others toward sustainable solutions.

Last but not the least, I thank the team at the National Institute of Urban Affairs, led by Ms
Paramita Datta Dey and Dr Mahreen Matto in bringing out this Compendium.

I hope that this document serves as a valuable resource for local bodies across nations, aiding
them in their continued journey toward 3R and Circular Economy principles as emphasized by
the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia-Pacific.

Dr Debolina Kundu
Director
National Institute of Urban Affairs

VII
 Abbreviations
3Rs Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
ALF Area Level Federation
AMC Aizawl Municipal Corporation
APEMCL AP Environment Management Corporation Limited
APGENCO Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation
APIs Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
APPCB Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board
ASULMS Assam State Urban Livelihoods Mission
ATS Automated Testing Stations
BPCL Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
BSF Black Soldier Fly
BWGs Bulk Waste Generators
C&D Construction and Demolition
CAPEX Capital Expenditure
CBG Compressed Bio Gas
CEE Centre for Environment Education
CMWSSB Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board
CNG Compressed Natural Gas
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COD Certificate of Deposit
CPCB Central Pollution Control Board
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility
CV Calorific Value
D2D Door-to-Door Collection
DAY-NULM Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission
DEMS Department of Environment Management Services
DLFMCs District Level Facilitation and Monitoring Committees
DRS Deposit Refund System
ELV End-of-Life Vehicle
EV Electric Vehicle
FCTP Fixed Compactor Transfer Point
FPC Farmer Producer Company
FSTP Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (Germany)
GST Goods and Services Tax
GWMC Goa Waste Management Corporation
HAM Hybrid Annuity Model

VIII
HDPE High-Density Polyethylene
HKS Haritha Karma Sena
INR Indian Rupee
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
JNAC Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee
kg Kilogram
KILA Kerala Institute of Local Administration
kW Kilowatt
LAD Local Administration Department
LAHDC Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council
LLP Limited Liability Partnership
LSGD Local Self Government Department
LSGI Local Self Government Institution
LWM Liquid Waste Management
MCCs Micro-Composting Centres
MCFs Material Collection Facilities
MIDC Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation
MLD Million Liters per Day
MLP Multi-Layered Plastic
MoEF&CC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
MOFPI Ministry of Food Processing Industries
MoHUA Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
MoPNG Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MPCB Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
MRF Material Recovery Facility
MSW Municipal Solid Waste
MT Metric Ton
MTA Metric Tons per Annum
MW Megawatt
NDMC New Delhi Municipal Council
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NIUA National Institute of Urban Affairs
NMMC Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation
NULM National Urban Livelihoods Mission
O&M Operation and Maintenance
OPEX Operational Expenditure
PBAT Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate
PCMC Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
PCTS Primary Collection & Transfer Stations
PCTW Post-Consumer Textile Waste
PET Polyethylene Terephthalate

IX
 PMC Patna Municipal Corporation
PMJJBY Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
PMSBY Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PPP Public-Private Partnership
PSU Public Sector Undertaking
PUC Pollution Under Control Certificate
RDF Refuse-Derived Fuel
RIICO Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation
RVSF Regional Vehicle Scrapping Facilities
RWAs Residential Welfare Associations
SAF Sustainable Alternate Fuel
SATAT Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
SBM Swachh Bharat Mission
SHG Self-Help Group
SINTEF Foundation for Industrial and Technical Research (Norway)
SOPs Standard Operating Procedures
sq. km Square Kilometer
STP Sewage Treatment Plant
SUP Single-Use Plastics
SVPMC Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council
TMC Thane Municipal Corporation
TPD Tons Per Day
TRF Textile Recovery Facility
TSTP Tertiary Sewerage Treatment Plant
TTPs Tertiary Treatment Plants
TTRO Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis
TTUF Tertiary Treatment Ultrafiltration Plant
ULBs Urban Local Bodies
UMC Ujjain Municipal Corporation
UN SDG United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
WTE Waste-to-Energy
ZWC Zero Waste Circular Solution

X
Themes

Circular Economy

Electronic Waste

End -of-Life Vehicle

Municipal Liquid Waste

Municipal Solid Waste

Scrap Metal

Solar Panels

Textile

Toxic and Hazardous Industrial Waste

Tyre and Rubber Recycling

XI
 CONTENTS
Recycling & Resource Recovery.......................................... 2 Harnessing Horticulture Waste: Ghaziabad’s
Sustainable Crafts: Assam’s SHG Women Biochar & Wood Vinegar Revolution.................................................37
Weave Success from Water Hyacinth...................................................3 Transforming Old Buses into: Patna’s Mobile Pink Toilets........38
Coconut Waste Recycling: Bhopal’s Leh’s Art: Repurposing Industrial Scrap Metals ............................39
Waste Minimizing Strategy ......................................................................4 Bricks from Bottles: Dharmanagar’s
Reviving Lives and Resources: The Story of ‘Project Innovative Glass Recycling Initiative..................................................40
Revitalization’ in Thane ..............................................................................5 Creating A Circular Loop: Jammu And
A Sustainable Approach to Marine Conservation: Kashmir Tackles Organic Waste...........................................................41
Andaman & Nicobar’s Approach to Marine Gear Management......6 The COCO Approach: Udaipur’s Waste
Tech Trash to Treasure: Refurbishing Waste in Alwar....................7 Management Initiative.............................................................................42
Jammu’s Material Recycling Centre: A One-Stop Solution..........8
Waste-to-wonder ..................................................................43
Cloth to Paper Recycling:
Ujjain’s Sustainable Circular Economy Initiative..............................9 Waste to Art Project: How UP Darshan
Park Champions Circular Economy....................................................44
Jammu & Kashmir’s Waste Management:
A Collaborative Pathway.........................................................................10 Musical Square: Refurbishing Ghaziabad’s
Scrap Waste..................................................................................................45
Tirupati’s Solar Shift: Giving Old Panels A New Life....................11
Delhi’s Bharat Darshan Park: Transforming
Turning Trash into Treasure: Gangtok’s E-Waste
Scrap into Artistic Wonders ..................................................................46
Management Initiative.............................................................................12
Studio Kilab’s Sustainable Craft Innovation in Srinagar.............47
Converting Waste into Value: Solid Waste
Management in Shopian..........................................................................13 Prayagraj’s Shivalaya Park: A Heritage Reimagined ...................48
Transforming Urban Waste Management: Punjab’s Recyclable Cafe: A Waste-to-Wonder
A Case Study of Ghaziabad ....................................................................14 Business Model...........................................................................................49
West Bengal’s Sustainable Revolution: Sculpting a Sustainable Future: The 3R Initiative
Innovating SWM for a Better Future.................................................15 by Sabroom Nagar Panchayat...............................................................50
Chattisgarh’s E-Waste Management:
Responsibly Disposing Waste...............................................................16 Wet Waste Management....................................................51
Sagar’s C&D Waste: A Valuable Resource.......................................17 Aizawl’s Home Compost: An Economic Intervention..................52
Jiribam’s Green Initiative: Upcycling Old Freezer Wet Waste Management: Srinagar’s Weed Processing Plant.53
and Glass Ware ...........................................................................................18 Waste to Compost: Qazigund’s Sustainability Journey..............54
Integrated Resource Recovery Park: Jaipur’s Poultry Waste Management: Kerala’s Rendering Plants...........55
Waste-to-Resource Initiative................................................................19 Leaf to Life: Kota’s Sustainable Composting Initiative................56
Puducherry’s Integrated Solid Waste Process: Wet Waste Innovation: Jharkhand’s Sustainable
Yields Sustainable Resource Recovery..............................................20 Waste Management..................................................................................57
Sustainable Waste Solutions: Mangan Nagar On-site Waste Composting: Jharkhand’s Organic
Panchayat’s Multi-Pronged Approach...............................................21 Waste Management..................................................................................58
City Farmers Partnership Programme:
RRR Centres.............................................................................22 Chikkaballapura Tackles Wet Waste..................................................59
Waste-to-Wealth Hubs: Baramulla’s RRR Centres......................23 Mo Khata’: Odisha Tackles Organic Waste......................................60
Giving A New Home for Old and Unused Goods: Worms at work: Assam Tackles Waste
Jamnagar RRR Centers............................................................................24 Through Vermicomposting.....................................................................61
Adding the 4th R to RRR: Chandigarh’s One Rupee Store ........25 Turning Waste into Silicone-Rich Granules:
Effective Waste Recycling Hub: Jharkhand’s RRR Centre........26 The Dewas Way..........................................................................................62
Reviving Resources: Gangtok’s RRR
Centre Tackles Textile Waste................................................................27 Decentralised Waste Management.................................63
Empowering Jamshedpur Women: The SHS Keeping Lucknow Clean: The Impact of
Group’s RRR Model...................................................................................28 Door-to-Door Waste Collection & Recycling.................................64
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Jharkhand’s Initiative Zero Waste, Maximum Impact:
for Waste Management ..........................................................................29 Decentralized Waste Processing for a Greener Jaipur...............65
Waste-free communities: How Navi Mumbai’s
Waste-to-wealth....................................................................30 transforming slums....................................................................................66
Belagavi’s Floral Waste: Karnataka’s A Resource in Disguise: Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur’s
Waste-to-Wealth Opportunity.............................................................31 Circular Economy Insights......................................................................67
Bricks Out Of Coconut Shell Waste: Karnataka’s Door-to-Door Initiative: Riding Towards
Chittapura Approach................................................................................32 Pushkar’s Cleanliness...............................................................................68
Ujjain’s Floral Alchemy: From Temple Waste
To Incense And Empowerment.............................................................33
Plastic Waste Management................................................69
Odisha Floral SHG’s: Turning Waste to
Eco-Friendly Festival Celebrations: Andaman &
Valuable Products......................................................................................34
Nicobar’s Plastic And Waste Reduction Method..........................70
From Coconut Shell to Coir: Jharkhand’s
Andaman & Nicobar’s Plastic Waste Reduction:
SHG Initiative...............................................................................................35
A Milk Pouch Buy-Back Scheme...........................................................71
Wat A Scrap’: Transforming Leftover Fabrics
Into Functional Products.........................................................................36
Effective Plastic Waste Management: Baramulla’s Story..........72 Zero Discharge, Maximum Impact – Navi Mumbai’s
Closing the Loop: Implementing Circular Water Reuse Success............................................................................. 107
Economy Best Practices in Aibawk.....................................................73 Recycling Waste Water to Recharge Porur Lake:
Plastic Waste Management in Char Dham: Chennai Paves the Way........................................................................ 108
A Digital Deposit Refund System.........................................................74 Ghaziabad’s TSTP Project – Advancing Wastewater
Haryana’s Vending Machines: Combatting Reuse for Sustainable Urban Development................................. 109
Plastic Waste................................................................................................75 Rejuvenating Wastewater: Karad Finds A New Resource..... 110
Bagging a Greener Future: Kamalpur’s Promoting Improved Sanitation: Warangal’s
Eco-Friendly Alternative to Plastic.....................................................76 Circular Economy Approach............................................................... 111
Turning Plastic Waste into Public Assets: Sustainable Sanitation: Promoting Safe FSSM
Itarsi’s Circular Economy Model..........................................................77 Practices in Telangana........................................................................... 112
Eliminating Single-Use Plastic: Chhattisgarh’s
3 Innovative Approaches........................................................................78 Public Participation & Community-Based Initiatives........113
Tackling Multi-Layer Plastics: Punjab’s Patna’s Pink Material Recovery Facility:
Plastic to Chipboard Scheme.................................................................79 Empowering Women Through Employment................................ 114
SUP-free Farmers Markets: Trichy’s IEC Efforts Thrive.............80 The Baini Sena Initiative: Women-Led
Waste Management in Uttarakhand .............................................. 115
Waste-to-Energy & Biofuels...............................................81 Promoting Sustainable Travel for All:
Guntur’s Power Play: Transforming Haryana Opts for Green Messaging ............................................... 116
Waste Into Clean Energy.........................................................................82 Bags of Change: Chattisgarh Women
Tirupati’s Green Revolution: Turning Tackling Plastic Pollution...................................................................... 117
Organic Waste Into Bio-CNG................................................................83 Delhi’s Zero-Waste Circular Bank:
Karnataka’s Waste-To-Energy Approach: Engaging Students in Sustainable Waste Management.......... 118
A Biomethanation Plant..........................................................................84 Interschool Recycling Championship:
Producing Energy from Waste: Karnataka’s Promoting Circular Economy in Delhi............................................ 119
GOBARdhan initiative..............................................................................85 Delhi’s Zero Waste Colony: A Community-Driven
Indore’s BioCNG Breakthrough: Turning Waste Management Initiative............................................................ 120
Wet Waste into Green Fuel....................................................................86 The “Compost Wise” Campaign:
Rewa’s Energy Makeover: Converting Trash Into Treasure......87 Home Composting in Kulgam ............................................................ 121
Powering Cities with Waste: Jabalpur’s 600 Haritha Karma Sena: Women Recyclers of Kerala.................... 122
TPD Waste-to-Energy Success.............................................................88 Odisha’s Decentralised Waste Management:
Pune’s Green Energy Hub: From Food Waste to Fuel.................89 An Apparatus for Community Engagement................................. 123
Turning Waste into Watts: Pimpri-Chinchwad’s
Waste-to-Energy Transformation.......................................................90 Innovative interventions.................................................. 124
Fuelling Growth: The Economic and Environmental The Journey of Old Clothes: Navi Mumbai is
Benefits of Jaipur’s Biogas Project......................................................91 Giving Textile Waste a New Life........................................................ 125
From Waste to Fuel: Rajasthan Goes Green...................................92 Promoting Sustainable Vehicle Disposal:
Gujarat’s End-of-Life Vehicle Plan.................................................... 126
Gwalior Tackles Cattle Dung: 100 TPD at a time..........................93
Double Chambered Incinerator: Treating
Transforming Bihar through GOBARdhan Yojana: Sanitary Waste in Thrissur.................................................................. 127
A Sustainable Approach..........................................................................94
Solar Powered Cleanup: Leh’s Bright Solution to Waste......... 128
Alternate Fuel for Alternate Future:
Chittorgarh’s Journey...............................................................................95 Healing the Planet: Thane’s Green Pharmacy............................. 129
Scaling Sustainability: Bringing Jaipur’s Circular Rajasthan’s Pyrolysis Push: Transforming
Economy Vision to More Cities............................................................96 Tyres to Renewable Energy................................................................. 130
The Black Soldier Fly: Mangalore’s
Legacy Waste Management & Dumpsite Remediation...... 97 Composting Technology ...................................................................... 131
Reclaiming Dumpsites: Goa’s Waste Smart Waste Management: How Lucknow is
Management Initiatives .........................................................................98 Leading in Carcass Recycling.............................................................. 132
Puducherry Legacy Waste Remediation: Innovative Circularity in Ghaziabad:
16.90 acres of Land Reclaimed.............................................................99 Transforming Waste Through Sustainable Practices................ 133
From Dumpsite to Green Space: Introducing ‘Swachhta Ambulance’:
A Model for Uttarakhand’s Waste Management....................... 100 Meerut’s Efficient Waste Management......................................... 134
Lucknow’s Green Energy: Fresh Waste Processing Bio-Enzymes for People, Planet and Profits:
& Legacy Waste Remediation............................................................. 101 Innovation in Orohalli............................................................................ 135
Greening Barren Lands: Rajkot’s Circular Approach................ 102 Sustainable Alternative to Single-Use Plastics........................... 137
Reclaiming Garbage Vulnerable Points: Integrating Circular Solutions: Tetra Pak’s
Ghaziabad’s Green Initiative.............................................................. 103 Sustainability Journey........................................................................... 138
From Dumpsite to Modern Facility: Advanced Recycling and Sustainable
Tangmarg-Gulmarg Redefining Waste Management .............. 104 Packing Innovations............................................................................... 139
Waste to Wealth; Innovative Practices
Wastewater Management............................................... 105 By Sahyadri Farms.................................................................................. 140
Visakhapatnam’s Liquid Gold: Recycling Wastewater
for a Sustainable Future....................................................................... 106
 RECYCLING AND
RESOURCE RECOVERY
The notion of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs) is not recent. For decades, sustainability
has been inextricably linked with the practice of the 3Rs. However, it is only recently
that this practice is being considered as a ‘principle’ - the sole proven way to mitigate and
manage waste from its source itself. Reducing, reusing, and recycling waste is a popular
concept amongst citizens who are now driving the zero-waste ecosystem. Recyclers,
Self Help Groups, and entrepreneurs are not just contributing to a circular economy by
recycling waste and developing a host of products, but also joining forces to create a
sustainable urban India. In the fight against climate change, it is imperative to adopt the
3Rs into our lifestyle. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE
(Lifestyle for Environment) nudges individual and collective action towards the same.
Mission LiFE aims to protect and preserve the environment and bring about pro-planet
behavioural change that can be instilled through individual action in day-to-day life.

2
 Sustainable Crafts:
Assam’s SHG Women
Weave Success from Water
Hyacinth
Introduction

The Lakhyajyoti Self-Help Group (SHG), formed in July

2016, comprises 10 urban poor women from Ward No.
State/UT Assam
08, Amolaptty, In August, the group registered under the Urban Local Body Nagaon Municipal Board
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods
Department/
Mission (DAY-NULM), which set the foundation for Organisation Lakhyajyoti SHG
significant change. Through training and support, the SHG
transformed water hyacinth, a pervasive aquatic plant, into a Duration 2016-Ongoing
source of livelihood by creating eco-friendly products such as
bags, mats, baskets, and decorative items.

Activities
Impact
Post-registration, the SHG received training on management
and book-keeping. Following the successful completion of
the grading process, they received a revolving fund of INR • The initiative helps mitigate the
10,000 from DAY-NULM and an additional INR 15,000 ecological impact of water hyacinth,
from the Government of Assam. The Assam State Urban which is known to disrupt aquatic
Livelihoods Mission (ASULMS) identified water hyacinth ecosystems and hinder water flow. The
as a viable opportunity due to its abundance in the water- removal of water hyacinth from local
water bodies helps in restoring ecological
logged areas of Nagaon. The SHG members participated in
balance.
two seven-day training sessions on utilising water hyacinth
to create value-added products such as bags, mats, baskets, • The initiative has significantly improved
and decorative items, selling them through local centers and the socio-economic status of the SHG
online platforms such as Flipkart. members. They now earn between INR
10,000 to INR 15,000 per month, which
has uplifted their living standards.
Integration with Circular Economy

This initiative contributes to circular economy by transforming

an invasive species into useful products, thereby reducing
environmental harm. By harvesting and processing water To know more
hyacinth, the SHG not only addresses waste management
but also contributes to resource efficiency and sustainable Contact

livelihoods. Pankaj Kumar Bhuyan

Executive Officer,
Nagaon Municipal Board
Replicability and Scalability
nagaonmunix14@[Link]
The success of this initiative in Nagaon indicates its potential
for replication in other regions with abundant water hyacinth.
By providing necessary training, financial support, and market
access, similar SHGs in different parts of India and globally
could adopt this model.

3
 Coconut Waste Recycling:
Bhopal’s Waste Minimizing
Strategy
Introduction

The Coconut Waste Recycling Project by Nagar Nigam

Bhopal, aims to process and recycle coconut shells and
husks into valuable products like coco peat, while creating
a revenue-generating model of annual revenue of INR
1,32,000. The initiative focuses on establishing a facility to State/UT Madhya Pradesh
process 3 tons per day of coconut waste. The coconut waste
recycling project involves multiple stakeholders, including
Urban Local Body Nagar Nigam Bhopal
coconut farmers and suppliers and local communities, Department/
Organisation Nagar Nigam Bhopal
Government and regulatory bodies and investors and project
financiers. Started with BMC as PPP model
Duration
from 2nd October 2024
Activities

The project involves several key activities including

sourcing raw materials, such as coconut shells and husks,
Impact
then transported to the recycling plant. The collected Impact
waste undergoes processing through washing, drying, and
shredding, where husks are converted into coco peat and
• By recycling coconut waste, the project
shells into coir fiber for various applications like ropes, mats,
reduces the need for other growing
and brushes. The processed coco peat is then packaged into
mediums such as peat moss, which are
different forms, such as loose peat, blocks, and discs, suitable often sourced unsustainably.
for nurseries and gardening, while coir fiber is prepared for
industrial use. Quality control measures ensure that coco • The project diverts approximately 3 tons
peat and other by-products meet market standards before of coconut waste per day from landfills,
reducing the environmental burden
distribution to nurseries, agricultural enterprises, and
caused by unmanaged waste disposal.
gardening outlets.
• Coco peat retains water effectively,
improving soil moisture retention in
Integration with Circular Economy
agriculture and reducing the need for
This project embodies the principles of a circular economy by excessive irrigation.
transforming coconut shells and husks waste into valuable
products. Through recycling, the project helps close the
loop in the coconut supply chain, reducing the need for new To know more
resources and minimizing environmental impact. Contact

Harendra Narayan
Replicability and Scalability Commissioner
This project can be replicated in other regions with high Bhopal Municipal Corporation
coconut production but limited waste management solutions. commbhopal@[Link]
By establishing similar recycling plants, local economies can
benefit from new revenue streams, while environmental
sustainability is achieved through waste reduction and
resource conservation.

4
 Reviving Lives and
Resources: The Story of
‘Project Revitalization’ in
Thane
Introduction

Project Revitalization in Thane addresses the challenge of

mounting municipal waste and its adverse environmental
impact. The initiative also empowered marginalised rag State/UT Maharashtra
picker women by integrating them into a circular economy Urban Local Body Thane Municipal Corporation
model. The project focuses on resource recovery, upcycling,
and sustainable waste management, reducing landfill burden Solid Waste Management
while enhancing livelihoods and public participation. Department/ Department, Environment
Organisation Department & NGO Samarth
Activities
Bharat Vyaspeeth
Duration 2017-Ongoing
The project operates through a structured process that
begins with organised waste collection across households,
commercial spaces, and public areas. Collected waste is then
transported to resource recovery facilities, where trained
women workers segregate recyclables from non-recyclables. Impact
Following segregation, the initiative employs upcycling
techniques to transform waste into valuable products,
• By diverting waste from landfills, the
ranging from household items to artistic creations. Items that
project reduces pollution, conserves
cannot be upcycled are processed for recycling, ensuring natural resources, and minimises
that the waste remains within the economic cycle instead greenhouse gas emissions.
of contributing to landfill pollution. A distinctive feature of
this initiative is its direct involvement of rag picker women, • The initiative fosters social inclusion
by improving the dignity and financial
who previously worked under hazardous conditions but
stability of rag picker women.
now operate in a safe and structured environment, receiving
better wages, financial support, and social welfare benefits. • Women waste collectors have seen their
monthly income rise from INR 10,000 to
INR 12,000–INR 15,000, supplemented
Integration with Circular Economy by health check-ups, grocery provisions,
and children’s education support. After
Green waste is converted into fuel briquettes, while flower
three years, the project has reached a
waste is processed into organic manure. The initiative
financial breakeven point, generating
refurbishes discarded furniture, books, and household around INR 2,50,000 per month,
appliances. Specialised centers like the Waste Wonder Gallery demonstrating economic viability.
and Book Library showcase repurposed materials, extending
product life cycles and minimising waste generation.

To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact
The initiative’s success in Thane demonstrates that
Dr. Rani Shinde
through structured waste collection, resource recovery,
Health Officer, Nodal Officer for SBM(U),
and stakeholder involvement, sustainable models can be
SWM Department, Thane Municipal Corporation
developed. To scale up, expanding infrastructure, increasing
hoswm@[Link]
workforce training, and forging public-private partnerships
are key.

5
 A Sustainable Approach
to Marine Conservation:
Andaman & Nicobar’s
Approach to Marine Gear
Management
Introduction
State/UT Andaman & Nicobar Islands
To address the growing issue of ghost nets and abandoned
Urban Local Body
Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal
fishing gear polluting coastal waters, a dedicated initiative
Council (SVPMC)
was launched to systematically collect, recycle, and repurpose
discarded fishing nets and gear, ensuring a structured Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal
Department/
approach to marine conservation. Organisation Council (Formerly Port Blair
Municipal Council)
Activities Duration Ongoing
A dedicated ghost-net collection centre was set up at a
fish landing jetty, providing a central point for fishermen
to deposit abandoned fishing gear and nets. Regular clean-
up drives were conducted in partnership with the local Impact
fishermen, the Fisheries Department, and tourism agencies,
to retrieve ghost nets from the sea and coastal surroundings.
Awareness campaigns and training sessions were organised • Reduced marine litter and mitigation of
navigation hazards caused by abandoned
to educate stakeholders on the environmental impact of
fishing gear.
ghost nets and the importance of responsible disposal. These
• Preservation of marine ecosystems
efforts aimed to foster long-term behavioral change among
and biodiversity, ensuring long-term
the fishing community and other key players. The collected
environmental health.
ghost nets were either recycled or refurbished into value-
added products, which were then supplied to vendors, • Generation of local employment
promoting both environmental sustainability and economic opportunities and revenue stream
benefits. through the sale of recycled products.

Integration with Circular Economy

A key aspect of the initiative was refurbishing and recycling of To know more
disposed ghost nets and other abandoned marine equipment
into everyday-use products. This approach minimized Contact
environmental damage and provided an opportunity to P Umamaheswara Rao
generate revenue from repurposed materials, reinforcing the Junior Engineer,
concept of sustainability and circularity. Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council
uma.rao1679@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

The model holds potential for replication in other coastal

and island regions facing similar challenges. It can be scaled
up by establishing additional collection centres, integrating
with regional marine conservation programs, and adopting
advanced recycling technologies.

6
 Tech Trash to Treasure:
Refurbishing Waste in
Alwar
Introduction

The initiative focuses on integrated e-waste management,

recovery of critical metals, and minimizing environmental
impact through a circular economy approach. The project
aligns with the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat mission by reducing
dependency on imported metals like copper, tin, gold, and
State/UT Rajasthan
silver while ensuring a sustainable and environmentally Rajasthan State Pollution Control
friendly recycling process. The initiative involves key Department/ Board (RSPCB)
stakeholders such as the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Organisation Greenscape Eco Management
Board, Central Pollution Control Board, The Ministry of Pvt. Ltd , MIA , Alwar , Rajasthan
Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC),
and the Ministry of Electronics and IT, along with other key
players in the sector.

Activities
Impact
An end-to-end integrated recycling facility with a capacity
of 68,494 MTA and a refurbishing facility of 5,000 MTA has • The initiative focuses on minimizing or
been established to ensure sustainable e-waste management. eliminating landfill waste by skilling the
It actively collects waste from aggregators, bulk consumers, informal sector and ensuring sustainable
waste management practices.
e-retailers, and the informal sector, bringing them under
GST compliance. To facilitate safe transportation of e-waste, • It accepts e-waste from bulk consumers,
the company has partnered with transporters and provides the informal sector, and producers
while complying with collection,
them with environmental safety training. Additionally, it
transportation, processing, and recycling
engages with the informal sector, offering skill development
norms. Additionally, its recycling facility
programs. The company adheres to high environmental and requires negligible water, except for
safety standards, holding certifications such as ISO 9001, plastic recycling, and treats wastewater
14001, 45001, and R2. through ETP for reuse, contributing to a
cleaner environment.
Integration with Circular Economy • Over the last three years, the company
has recycled 68,620.238 MT of e-waste
The initiative is aligned with circular economy principles by and captured 82,344.29 MT of carbon
processing e-waste, recycling plastic waste, and refurbishing dioxide. In the past ten years, it has
IT assets, thereby converting waste into valuable resources. recovered 65 kg of gold through PCB
The initiative follows a zero landfill policy, ensuring that waste processing (export).
materials are recovered and reused effectively. Additionally,
carbon capture is integrated into operations.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

Bal Gopal Nigam

The initiative has significant potential for replication across
Operation , G.M Operations
other states with the right support mechanisms. The initiative
balgopal@[Link]
advocates for Capex incentives and viability gap funding by
the state to encourage investment in recycling infrastructure.
Additionally, developing city-based e-waste collection
clusters will enhance waste traceability and ensure efficient
transportation to recycling facilities.

7
 Jammu’s Material
Recycling Centre: A
One-Stop Solution
Introduction

A collaborative effort between the Jammu Municipal

Corporation (JMC) and the Centre for Environment
Education (CEE), with financial backing from HDFC Bank,
was formalised in 2022 to establish a sustainable and circular
State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
model. This initiative led to the creation of the Swachh Centre,
which uniquely converges a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Urban Local Body Jammu Municipal Corporation
and a Material Recycling Centre (MRC). The project aims to
promote sustainable waste management, ensuring efficient Department/ Housing & Urban Development
recycling and resource optimisation.
Organisation Department
Duration 4 years for MRF
Activities

The MRC processes various plastic waste types, including

thin flexible-ethylene, propylene polymers, and rigid HDPE
packaging containers. These materials are sourced from
MRFs, where entrepreneurs procure waste from both Impact
rural (villages and panchayats) and urban areas (municipal
corporations, waste pickers, and bulk waste generators). The
collected plastic waste is shredded, cleaned, and processed • The Swachh Centre fosters employment
into recycled pellets or sheets, which are further supplied to opportunities across the waste
industries for manufacturing new products, contributing to a management supply chain, especially in
closed-loop system. The initiative ensures economic stability the recycling and upcycling industries.
for waste collectors, and maximises material efficiency • By reducing waste generation, the
with minimal wastage by maintaining fair pricing and timely initiative mitigates pollution, improves
payments. The project also conducts awareness programs to public health, and lowers greenhouse
educate communities on waste segregation and responsible gas emissions, contributing to positive
disposal practices. climate outcomes.

• The Jammu Municipal Corporation has

Integration with Circular Economy provided in-kind support worth INR
32,60,000 in utilities and resources,
By analysing waste material value, the project strengthens alongside INR 5,30,000 in services from
circular economy principles. This project adopts a private stakeholders, enhancing the
decentralised systems approach, treating waste management project’s economic viability.
as an interconnected process. The MRC works in close
coordination with the MRFs which focuses on material
efficiency within an optimised supply chain. This model is the To know more
right direction towards creating a circular economy within
the state. Contact

Prabhjot Sodhi
Replicability and Scalability Sr Program Director (Circular Economy)
[Link]@[Link]
This model can be replicated in other Urban Local Bodies [Link]@[Link]
(ULBs) through a proactive community-driven approach,
integrating recyclers, the private sector, NGOs, and
government bodies.

8
 Cloth to Paper Recycling:
Ujjain’s Sustainable
Circular Economy
Initiative
Introduction

An initiative to recycle cloth to paper was undertaken by Ujjain

Municipal Corporation (UMC) in 2019. The project aims to State/UT Madhya Pradesh
eliminate the practice of cloth disposal in the Kshipra River,
Urban Local Body Ujjain Municipal Corporation
reducing water pollution and environmental degradation.
The initiative also seeks to establish a sustainable, closed-loop Department/
Organisation Ujjain Municipal Corporation
system where the paper produced is utilized by the UMC for
administrative purposes. This initiative is driven by multiple Duration Since 2019
stakeholders, including Religious event organizers and
devotees contribute by facilitating the collection of discarded
cloth, ensuring a continuous supply of raw materials.
Impact
Impact
Activities

As part of this project, the discarded textiles (cloth) from

ghats and other religious sites are collected. These textiles • The initiative aids in water conservation
and helps protect aquatic biodiversity.
are then processed into paper through shredding, pulping,
It also reduces greenhouse gas (GHG)
and refining techniques. The recycling plant, managed by
emissions by curbing the incineration
UMC, has a processing capacity of 0.035 TPD (tons per day), and decomposition of textile waste, both
ensuring a steady conversion of textile waste into usable of which contribute to air pollution.
paper. This paper is subsequently transformed into files,
folders, and notepads, which are exclusively procured by • The initiative promotes women’s
UMC, reducing dependency on externally sourced stationery. empowerment by ensuring that
the plant is entirely managed and
operated by female staff, offering stable
Integration with Circular Economy employment opportunities and financial
independence.
The cloth-to-paper recycling project exemplifies the
principles of a circular economy by converting waste textiles • The project reduces UMC’s expenditure
into high-value recycled paper. on stationery procurement by ensuring
self-sufficiency in paper production.
It also provides a stable source of
Replicability and Scalability employment for women operating the
plant, contributing to local economic
This model holds a potential for replication in other cities,
development.
especially those with religious sites that generate large
amounts of discarded textiles. Collaborations with NGOs,
self-help groups, and religious institutions can enhance
outreach and efficiency in waste collection. The initiative can To know more
be scaled up by technological advancements in recycling and Contact
paper-making can further improve efficiency and output. Mr. Krishna Bhuriya
Plant In charge (Sub-Engineer)
Ujjain Municipal Corporation
commujjain@[Link]

9
 Jammu & Kashmir’s
Waste Management: A
Collaborative Pathway
Introduction

Municipal Committee Kunzar and Municipal Committee

Tangmarg, have collaborated on a solid waste management
initiative that processes and sells all types of dry waste
through a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The initiative State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
ensures systematic door-to-door waste collection,
segregation, and scientific processing of both dry and wet
Urban Local Body Municipal Committee Kunzar
waste. The core aim of the initiative is to promote a cleaner Department/
Organisation Municipal Committee Kunzar
environment and financial sustainability in the city.
Duration 1 year
Activities

The initiative involves the segregated collection of dry & wet

waste from households and markets. Wet waste is processed
into nutrient-rich compost, which is used in local agriculture
to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Plastic waste is
Impact
collected at designated points for further processing and
recycling. Municipal staff and sanitation workers undergo • Reduction of plastic pollution and landfill
continuous training to improve waste handling. Additionally, waste, it has helped protect water
the community groups participate in the collection, which bodies and soil, contributing to a cleaner
fosters a sense of responsibility. Meanwhile, public awareness environment.
campaigns educate citizens on the importance of waste
• Increased public awareness and
segregation and recycling. Lastly, processed plastic waste is participation in sustainable waste
sold, ensuring revenue generation and financial sustainability. management, encouraging responsible
waste disposal practices.
Integration with Circular Economy • Created job opportunities in waste
collection, processing, and compost
Plastic waste is compacted into bales and sold to recycling
distribution, supporting livelihoods.
units. On the other hand, organic waste is transformed into
high-quality compost for agricultural use. This approach
reduces waste transportation and landfill management
costs and minimises environmental pollution and promotes
community participation. To know more

Contact
Replicability and Scalability
Mir Tafveez Mehmood
The Kunzar model of waste management can be replicated Executive Officer
in other urban local bodies across India. There is potential Municipal Committee Kunzer
to expand waste collection and recycling points in different ulbk@[Link]
locations in the city.

10
 Tirupati’s Solar Shift:
Giving Old Panels A
New Life
Introduction

With the rapid adoption of solar energy, the challenge of end-

of-life solar panels is growing. Tirupati, in collaboration with
APEMCL, is pioneering a digital-first approach to recycling
solar panels through an online waste exchange portal. The State/UT Andhra Pradesh
other stakeholders involved in the project include private
Urban Local Body Tirupati Municipal Corporation
recyclers, solar panel manufacturers, and waste generators.
Tirupati Municipal Corporation,
Activities in collaboration with AP
Department/
Organisation Environment Management
Discarded solar panels are collected from households, Corporation Limited (APEMCL)
industries, and solar farms. The APEMCL Online Waste and private recyclers
Exchange Portal is used to track, manage, and facilitate the
recycling process. Valuable materials like silicon, glass, and Duration Operational since 2022
metals are recovered and reintegrated into new solar panel
manufacturing.

Integration with Circular Economy Impact

The initiative creates a closed-loop system by recovering 90
percent of the materials from old solar panels and reusing Reduces electronic waste, conserving
them in new panel production. The APEMCL portal enhances critical resources.
transparency and efficiency in waste management.
Strengthens waste management through
digital tracking and accountability.
Replicability and Scalability
Enhances economic viability of solar panel
As solar panel waste increases, this initiative provides a recycling, making it a sustainable industry.
scalable model for other regions. The online waste exchange
portal enables real-time tracking, making it adaptable to
other cities.

To know more

Contact

Dr. Dasaradharam Reddy

Chief Operating Officer,
APEMCL Online Waste Exchange Portal,
[Link]@[Link]

11
 Turning Trash into
Treasure: Gangtok’s
E-Waste Management
Initiative
Introduction

E-waste poses significant environmental and health risks

due to hazardous components. In response, the GMC, in State/UT Sikkim
collaboration with the IT Department of Sikkim, established
an e-waste collection centre in 2015 to facilitate proper Urban Local Body Gangtok Municipal Corporation
disposal and recycling. Key stakeholders involved were Department/
Gangtok Municipal Corporation, State Pollution Control Organisation Gangtok Municipal Corporation
Board and M/s J.S. Pigments– a government authorized
recycler.
Duration Operational since 2015

Activities

The initiative ensures safe collection, transportation, and Impact

recycling of e-waste in compliance with national regulations.
GMC records and reports e-waste collection data while
collaborating with authorised recyclers. The collected • Prevents hazardous waste from
e-waste is sent to Kolkata for processing, given the absence contaminating the environment.
of local recycling facilities. • Promotes responsible e-waste disposal
among citizens.
Integration with circular economy • Generates revenue through recycler
payments to GMC.
The initiative ensures that discarded electronics are
repurposed, reducing reliance on virgin materials. Recovered
metals, plastics, and glass contribute to manufacturing new
To know more
products, minimising environmental impact.
Contact

Replicability and Scalability HK Chettri

Commissioner,
This model can be expanded to other urban areas in Sikkim. Gangtok Municipal Corporation
Establishing local e-waste processing units would reduce gangtok@[Link]
transportation costs and improve recycling efficiency.

12
 Converting Waste into
Value: Solid Waste
Management in Shopian
Introduction

An initiative aligned with the Solid Waste Management

Rules 2016, Municipal Council Shopian is among the ten
municipalities in Kashmir Division with a dedicated Solid
Waste Management Plant. The initiative is spread over 62 State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
canals of well-fenced land. Currently, the plant has a waste
Urban Local Body Municipal Council Shopian
treatment capacity of 4 TPD (Tons Per Day), which is set to
increase to 12 TPD shortly. Department/
Organisation Municipal Council Shopian

Activities Duration 2 Years

Previously, waste collection at 21 open points in Shopian

caused a public nuisance, posing risks to residents. With the
Solid Waste Management Plant at Aglar Shopian, waste is
treated scientifically. The initiative generates revenue by Impact
selling recyclable waste and manure. Waste collection is now
organized, with ten garbage vehicles collecting segregated
waste from households daily. At the treatment plant, dry • Less waste reduces pollution and
and wet waste is further separated using a conveyor belt. lowers the carbon footprint by cutting
Additionally, nine temporary and one permanent RRR greenhouse gas emissions.
Centre have been set up, encouraging citizens to donate old • Public participation in waste segregation
items for reuse, with door-to-door drives, recycled goods and recycling promotes cleaner habits
displays, and awareness campaigns. and community awareness.
• Selling recyclable materials generates
Integration with Circular Economy income, while organic compost helps
farmers reduce the costs of chemical
The initiative follows circular economy principles by fertilizers.
identifying the hidden value of waste. Recyclable materials
such as plastic, paper, metal, and glass are processed
and sold to industries and MSMEs, generating income.
Organic compost, produced from biodegradable waste, To know more
benefits local horticulturists by reducing dependency on
expensive chemical fertilizers. The program ensures that Contact

waste is reused, repurposed, and reintegrated into the local Mohammad Iqbal Bhat
economy, minimizing environmental impact. Chief Executive Officer
Municipal Council Shopian
Replicability and Scalability eomcshopian@[Link]

This model can be replicated in smaller towns where

households and bulk waste generators have available land
for waste processing. Environmentalists, in collaboration
with NGOs, can scale up the initiative by promoting
community pit composting, further expanding sustainable
waste management efforts.

13
 Transforming Urban
Waste Management: A
Case Study of Ghaziabad
Introduction

The Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) aims to establish

a streamlined system for efficient waste segregation,
collection, and recycling to minimise environmental impact
and improve operational efficiency. The primary focus is on State/UT Uttar Pradesh
source segregation by households, bulk waste generators
(BWGs), Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and
Urban Local Body Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN)
industries, ensuring minimal mixing of dry and wet waste. Department/
Organisation Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN)

Activities

Ragpickers are formally included in the waste management

system, receiving training and equipment to enhance their
Impact
safety and efficiency while reducing informal scavenging Impact
and waste pilferage. Revenue generation remains a crucial
aspect, with the initiative yielding INR 3,75,00,000 in the last • Reduced landfill dependency, lower
financial year (2024). A significant 25 percent of this income greenhouse gas emissions, decreased
is allocated to the Safaimitra Welfare Fund, improving the waste spillage, and improved public
financial security and working conditions of sanitation health.
workers. Collected waste is transported to Material Recovery
• Ragpicker inclusion and Safaimitra
Facilities (MRFs) in Sihani and Raitmandi, where further
Welfare Fund allocation enhance
sorting and processing occur, facilitating vendor integration
livelihoods and ensure better working
and maximising resource recovery. The segregated waste is conditions.
processed at MRFs located in Sihani and Raitmandi, where
recyclables are sorted and prepared for reuse. • Revenue generation of INR 3,75,00,000
in the last fiscal year (2024), with further
growth projections.
Integration with Circular Economy

Segregated recyclables are channelled through MRFs for To know more

reuse in manufacturing and production. Processed waste
materials are converted into new items, reducing dependence Contact

on virgin resources. Collaborations with vendors and Vikramaditya Singh Malik, IAS
ragpickers ensure efficient resource circulation. Municipal Commissioner
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
Replicability and Scalability gzb.-[Link]@[Link]

The adaptable waste management model integrates source

segregation, MRF processing, and stakeholder participation
for municipal scalability. Expanding infrastructure, policy
advocacy, and public awareness will enhance waste handling
capacity and long-term success.

14
 West Bengal’s Sustainable
Revolution: Innovating
SWM for a Better Future
Introduction

The Gram Panchayat (GP) of Bagda driven by the vision of

preserving environmental quality for future generations,
has developed an innovative model for self-sustainable Solid
Waste Management (SWM), benefiting 5,720 households. State/UT West Bengal
The unit converts plastic, thermocol, and hyacinth into
Gram Panchayat Bagda
reusable products, funded by household and business fees.
This model exemplifies sustainable rural waste management Department/ Department of Drinking Water &
and circular economy potential. Organisation Sanitation

Activities

Before the establishment of the SWM unit, the primary focus

was on creating awareness about waste segregation through
door-to-door campaigns. Several surveys were conducted
Impact
to assess the extent of intervention required for achieving
self-sustainability of the unit. Initially, a pilot project was • The distinguishing feature of the
implemented, involving the collection of waste from 2,800 SWM unit is its ability to convert all
households (HHs) according to planned route maps and collected waste including thermocol,
collection frequencies. To cover the operational costs, a plastic, hyacinth, etc. into reusable
monthly collection fee of Rs. 20 per household was charged, products. Through regular service fee
and pedal e-rickshaws were used for waste collection. collections, such as Rs. 100 from hotels
Subsequently, waste collection was expanded to encompass and Rs. 20 from shops and households
all HHs, and the responsibility was entrusted to 10 Self-Help monthly, the SWM unit has achieved
Group (SHG) units comprising 120 waste collectors. Each self-sustainability. Overall, the Self-
SHG was assigned to manage waste collection in one village sustainability efforts of Bagda GP is
yielding remarkable results.
separately.

Integration with Circular Economy

To know more
The SWM unit in Bagda GP stands out for its innovative
Contact
technologies that focus on upcycling and recycling waste
products. The conversion of various waste materials into Pushpa Sardar
reusable products showcases the potential for creating a Pradhan,
circular economy at the grassroots level. This model can serve Gram Panchayat
as an inspiration for other rural areas aiming for effective and bagdahgp@[Link]
sustainable waste management practices.

Replicability and Scalability

This model can be replicated in smaller GPs, with the

establishment of small-scale neighbourhood groups to
effectively monitor and manage the program.

15
 Chattisgarh’s E-Waste
Management: Responsibly
Disposing Waste
Introduction

E-waste has emerged as a significant environmental concern

due to the rapid increase in electronic consumption. To
improve e-waste management and enhance environmental
sustainability the municipal corporation of Raipur State/UT Chhattisgarh
implemented initiatives to promote responsible disposal,
and recycling of e-waste. The initiative involves structured Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Raipur
collection, awareness programs, and fostering community Raipur Municipal Corporation
engagement to mitigate the negative impacts of e-waste. Department/
Organisation in collaboration with Star
e-Processors
Activities
Duration 2018- Ongoing
The e-waste management initiative commenced with
extensive awareness programs incorporating short films,
nukkad natak (street plays), and youth organisations to
educate the public. These efforts aimed to inform citizens
about the door-to-door collection process, the careful Impact
handling of e-waste, and its responsible recycling. The
initiative emphasised the significance of proper e-waste
The program has generated a revenue of
disposal, the environmental risks of improper handling, and
INR 91,00,000 (approx.) over six years and
the broader benefits of sustainable e-waste management.
has provided financial benefits to citizens
To facilitate implementation, 20 personnel have been by allowing them to sell e-waste at their
deployed, supported by two collection vehicles and a doorsteps. This initiative has also minimised
dedicated processing facility, ensuring efficient e-waste environmental damage by preventing
collection and disposal across the city. hazardous e-waste disposal, ensuring
responsible recycling. Additionally, the
initiative has yielded a profit of INR 5,86,000
Integration with Circular Economy for the organisation.
Since 2019, the initiative has successfully collected
approximately 253 tonnes of e-waste, which is processed
and recycled to extract valuable materials. The collected
waste is repurposed, reducing the environmental footprint To know more
and promoting resource efficiency. The initiative aligns with
Contact
circular economy principles by transforming e-waste into
reusable materials and supporting sustainable practices. Mr. Yogesh Kadu
Nodal Officer
Mr. Mehul Thakkar
Replicability and Scalability
Star e-waste processors
The initiative has already been expanded to other urban Municipal Corporation Raipur
local bodies in the state and has the potential for nationwide sbmrmc2024@[Link]
replication. Scaling up the model will involve strengthening
coordination with the general public to ensure the city
moves towards becoming e-waste-free, fostering broader
community involvement in electronic waste disposal,
recycling, and management.

16
 Sagar’s C&D Waste: A
Valuable Resource
Introduction

Sagar Municipal Corporation has established a mechanized

construction and demolition (C&D) waste management
system to promote sustainable urban cleanliness and resource
recovery. Launched in November 2024, this project aims
to minimize landfill dependency by establishing an efficient
system for C&D waste collection, processing, and recycling.
Under the Public Health and Sanitation Department, the
State/UT Madhya Pradesh
initiative aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission and C&D Urban Local Body Sagar Municipal Corporation
Waste Management Rules (2016) by promoting the reuse
of construction waste to develop value-added products like Sagar Municipal Corporation,
Department/
bricks and paver blocks. The key stakeholders of this initiative Organisation Public Health and Sanitation
are Sagar Municipal Corporation, Sagar Smart City Limited Department
and Vats Realtech Private Limited (Concessionaire). Since 3 months (Start: November
Duration
01, 2024)
Activities
Impact
The C&D waste management system operates across all
48 wards through an on-call pickup service, similar to food
delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy. A fleet of specialized Impact
vehicles collects and transports waste to a 50 tons per day
processing plant, ensuring efficient handling. At the plant,
• About 10 TPD of waste is diverted from
mechanized segregation separates materials like concrete,
landfills.
bricks, and steel, optimizing resource recovery. The recovered • The initiative led to lower carbon
materials are processed into value-added products, including footprint due to decreased demand for
paver blocks for pavements and roads, while dust and fine virgin construction materials.
particles are repurposed for backfilling, road sub-base • The extraction of sand, stone, and other
construction, and landscaping. natural materials are reduced.
• Employment opportunities for local
Integration with Circular Economy workers and Women Self Help Groups.
• The C&D Waste Management initiative
This initiative follows a closed-loop recycling approach, has significantly transformed public
reducing reliance on virgin materials and promoting behavior by promoting responsible
sustainability. Local construction projects, including those by waste disposal and discouraging illegal
Sagar Smart City Limited and authorized contractors, utilize dumping.
these recycled products.
• Revenue generation from selling bricks
and paver blocks.
Replicability and Scalability • Cost savings for municipal infrastructure
projects by reusing recycled materials.
The on-call C&D waste collection model can be replicated in
other cities to ensure efficient waste management, while the
mechanized processing approach offers a scalable solution
for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to enhance waste recovery To know more
and recycling. Public-private partnerships (PPP) can further Contact
drive expansion nationwide.
Raj Kumar Khatri (SAS)
Commissioner,
Sagar Municipal Corporation
commsagar@[Link]

17
 Jiribam’s Green Initiative:
Upcycling Old Freezer and
Glass Ware
Introduction

Jiribam Municipal Council in Manipur has taken an innovative

approach to waste management by repurposing old freezers
as plastic banks and reusing glass bottles for beautification
and functional construction. The initiative aims to ensure State/UT Manipur
the safe disposal of e-waste and glass waste while promoting
environmental sustainability and community engagement. By Urban Local Body Jiribam Municipal Council
transforming discarded items into useful community assets, Department/
this initiative fosters circular economy practices and raises Organisation Jiribam Municipal Council
awareness about responsible waste management.
Duration 1 Year

Activities

Jiribam Municipality has organized designated e-waste

collection drives and permanent drop-off locations for Impact
residents and businesses to ensure safe disposal of electronic
waste. As part of this initiative, old freezers are being reused
as plastic banks, encouraging the local community to separate • Reduction in e-waste and glass waste,
and deposit plastic waste for recycling. Additionally, glass minimized plastic pollution, and
waste management has been promoted by repurposing glass enhanced public spaces with eco-friendly
bottles for beautification projects, such as garden borders in materials.
parks, and for construction purposes. A changing room for • Increased community participation in
women sanitary workers has been built using glass bottles, waste management, improved awareness
ensuring both functional and aesthetic utility. of recycling, and better facilities for
women sanitary workers.

Integration with Circular Economy • Cost savings in waste management

through reduced landfill burden and
This initiative integrates circular economy principles by efficient recycling systems.
focusing on recycling and reuse. The project promotes the
idea of extending the life cycle of materials by repurposing
them for new functions, aligning with global sustainability
To know more
goals.
Contact

Replicability and Scalability NG. Uttam Singh

State Mission Director - Manipur
The reuse of e-waste items can be extended to schools, sbmmanipur@[Link]
research labs, or community programs for educational
purposes. Municipalities can adopt similar approaches by
repurposing discarded appliances and materials into useful
community assets, promoting sustainability, and reducing
environmental pollution. Scaling up the initiative can involve
engaging private sector stakeholders, expanding collection
networks, and integrating advanced recycling techniques.

18
 Integrated Resource
Recovery Park: Jaipur’s
Waste-to-Resource
Initiative
Introduction

An Integrated Resource Recovery Park was established at

Tholai, Tehsil Jamwaramgarh, District Jaipur. The initiative
State/UT Rajasthan
aims to bring recyclers of different waste streams together
in a designated industrial zone to facilitate efficient waste Rajasthan State Industrial
recovery and resource optimization. This project aligns with Urban Local Body Development and Investment
circular economy principles, reducing landfill dependency Corporation Limited (RIICO)
and promoting industrial symbiosis.
Rajasthan State Industrial
Department/
Organisation Development and Investment
Activities Corporation Limited
The Park spans 48.21 hectares and is designed to house Duration 2023 - Ongoing
industries engaged in recycling end-of-life vehicles,
electronic waste, plastic, hazardous materials, and lithium-
ion batteries. The project, costing INR 50,00,00,000, has

Impact
received financial backing under the Special Assistance to
States for Capital Investment (PM GatiShakti). As of 2023,
RIICO has sanctioned INR 50,17,00,000 for development,
with INR 19,41,39,000 spent on infrastructure. A total
of 100 industrial plots are planned, with 10 plots allotted • Reduces landfill usage, mitigates
greenhouse gas emissions, and supports
so far. Additionally, the initiative ensures adherence to
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
environmental standards and waste management regulations
through responsible waste handling.
to create a sustainable and compliant framework for waste
recovery industries. • Encourages skill development and
job creation in waste collection,
transportation, and processing.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Facilitates investment in waste recycling,
The project fosters a circular economy by promoting reduces costs of waste disposal, and
waste-to-resource transformation. By co-locating recycling generates employment in the waste
industries, the park enhances waste recovery efficiency management sector.
and reduces the need for raw materials. The recycling and
refurbishment of end-of-life products contribute to resource
conservation and waste minimization.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

Rajasthan has proposed two additional Integrated Resource Ajay Gupta

Recovery Parks at RIICO Industrial Area – Gundi Fatehpur, Additional General Manager (EM)
Kota, and the Proposed RIICO Industrial Area at Kairwa Rajasthan State Industrial Development and
and Bhiwadi. Expanding this model to other industrial hubs Investment Corporation Limited (RIICO)
will enhance the state’s waste management capacity and em_cell@[Link]
accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices on a
larger scale.

19
 Puducherry’s Integrated
Solid Waste Process:
Yields Sustainable
Resource Recovery
Introduction

The Government of Puducherry, through the Local

Administration Department (LAD), established the State/UT Puducherry
Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Processing and
Management (IMSWM) Project to implement advanced Pondicherry Municipality &
waste management practices. This initiative aims to enhance Urban Local Body Oulgaret Municipality – Cluster
waste segregation, recycling, and sustainable resource Based
recovery by adopting Industry 5.0 and IoT systems, thereby
promoting a zero-waste methodology and circular economy Department/ Local Administration Department
principles.
Organisation (LAD), Government of Puducherry
Duration Feb 2024 onwards (19 years)
Activities

The project is implemented by M/S Greenwarrior. Waste is

categorized into organic, inorganic, and hazardous streams
for efficient processing. The center employs mechanical Impact
segregation to ensure contaminant-free waste handling.
Waste-to-resource strategies maximize recovery and
sustainability: recyclables are sold, garden waste is converted • Reduces methane emissions and
into energy pellets, and MLP plastics undergo pyrolysis for pollution from landfill sites.
carbon black and alternative fuel. RDF is processed into • Prevents plastic waste burning and
pellets for cement industries, while organic waste is turned promotes aerobic waste decomposition.
into compressed biogas (CBG) and bio-fertilizers. Windrow • Enhances air and water quality by
composting produces compost for farmers, and liquid eliminating landfill dependency.
fertilizer is recycled for gardening. C&D waste is repurposed
for infrastructure, reducing quarry stone reliance. • Raises public awareness on pollution
reduction and environmental hygiene.
• Strengthens waste collection efficiency,
Integration with Circular Economy
reducing health hazards.
This initiative follows circular economy principles by
converting waste into resources like compost, biogas, and
alternative fuels, reducing landfill use and hazardous waste. To know more
It enhances environmental sustainability by curbing pollution
in air, soil, and water through responsible waste disposal and Contact
reuse. S. Shakthyvel
Director (Local Administration) – cum – Mission
Replicability and Scalability Director (SBM – Urban 2.0)
Local Administration Department (LAD),
This model can be replicated across India with technological Government of Puducherry
modifications suited to regional waste characteristics and dirlad@[Link]
volumes. The project can be scaled with support fromfunding
sources, including SIDBI loans, additional SBM grants, and
CSR contributions for long-term operational expansion and
sustainability.

20
 Sustainable Waste
Solutions: Mangan Nagar
Panchayat’s Multi-Pronged
Approach
Introduction

The initiatives aim to manage and minimise municipal solid

waste while focusing on recycling and revenue generation. State/UT Sikkim
Urban Local Body Mangan Nagar Panchayat
Activities
Department/
As part of its initiative, Mangan Nagar Panchayat has Organisation Urban Development Department
installed an Organic Waste Converter machine, capable of
producing 30 kg of manure per cycle, alongside four large
Duration Initiated in 2023
composting units to manage excess wet waste. The manure
is used in an organic nursery to cultivate seasonal vegetables
and flowers for sale, while 2 kg manure bags are sold at Rs.
100, generating revenue. A Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Impact
with a 2 TPD processing capacity has been established, to
recover 70 percent of solid waste with support from agencies
like JS Pigments in Kolkata. RRR Centre also collects and • The waste management policies
redistributes clothes, bags, shoes, books, and toys, reducing prioritise environmental conservation,
textile waste and benefiting underprivileged communities. biodiversity preservation, and
Additionally, the ULB has developed eco-friendly bricks sustainable development. Additionally,
from plastic waste, combining heated plastic with coarse they contribute to resource
sand to create durable materials used for pothole filling, conservation, waste minimisation, water
speed breakers, and partition walls, providing a sustainable conservation, and greenhouse gas (GHG)
reduction, ultimately improving public
construction alternative.
health and safety.
• These initiatives have successfully
Integration with Circular Economy
generated revenue from waste
All initiatives align with circular economy principles, management, a significant achievement
emphasising recycling, reuse, and value-added waste for a small ULB like Mangan Nagar
Panchayat.
products. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have
been established to ensure smooth implementation and
sustainability.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

These initiatives serve as a replicable model for other cities Tempo Tashi Bhutia
with similar urban profiles. Their success demonstrates Deputy Secretary cum Municipal Executive Officer
how effective waste management can be tailored to Urban Development Department
different municipal needs. By incorporating advanced waste mnpnorth@[Link]
processing technologies, the impact of these programmes can
be significantly amplified, ensuring long-term sustainability
and efficiency.

21
 RRR CENTRES
The Government of India has been working towards raising public awareness about
the importance of reducing community reliance on single-use plastics, by strongly
promoting the concept of reusing and recycling waste. The RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
Centres initiative was launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 in 2023
as part of the “Meri LiFE Mera Swachh Shehar” campaign. A one-stop solution, these
easily accessible community recycling centres encourage and enable citizens to donate
waste items for refurbishing or recycling, promoting sustainable practices. Accessible
via Google Locator, there are nearly 21,000 centres in urban India, with over 4,000
operational year-round and 16,000 temporarily set up during festivals or in support of
vulnerable groups who receive repurposed and recycled articles from these centres -
effectively lengthening the longevity of each donated product, minimising waste, and
creating a circular loop.

22
 Waste-to-Wealth Hubs:
Baramulla’s RRR Centres
Introduction

The Municipal Council Baramulla has set up a RRR (Reduce,

Reuse, Recycle) Centre aimed at promoting sustainable
waste management practices through the repurposing and
creative reuse of discarded materials. The centre focuses
on utilising various waste materials, such as drums, tyres,
plastic cans, bottles, old clothes, and electronics, to create
new, functional, and innovative products. State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
Urban Local Body Municipal Council Baramulla
Activities
Department/
With a target to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in Organisation Municipal Council Baramulla
landfills by repurposing the same, recycling materials in an Duration Ongoing
eco-friendly manner, and reusing discarded items to create
innovative products, the RRR centres are well-positioned
to establish a circular and sustainable waste management
apparatus in the city. Waste materials are collected from
households, businesses and public spaces and brought to Impact
the RRR centre, where they are subsequently processed
into new products or stored for showcasing. Some of the
products made include furniture such as chairs and tables • Minimizing the amount of waste sent to
made entirely from scrap material and flower pots made of landfills and incinerators by redirecting
tyres, plastic bottles or cans. them to the RRR.

Baramulla has successfully demonstrated how decorative • Preventing the accumulation of waste in
items, planters, household accessories, or art pieces can open dumpsites, drains, roads, sewers,
be made from scrap material and waste items under their and waterbodies, effectively reducing
land and water pollution.
“Kabard Se Jugaad” or waste-to-innovation scheme. This
initiative encourages local communities to think about • Increased community awareness and
how they might reuse everyday waste items in creative participation in waste segregation,
ways, reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a collection and recycling.
circular economy. • Revenue generation through the sale
of recycled goods, and the creation of
Integration with Circular Economy employment opportunities for residents.

The basic tenets of a RRR centre are rooted in a circular

economy, and Baramulla is no different. Through waste
To know more
minimisation, processing and recycling efforts, it works
within a closed-loop system, ensuring maximum utilisation Contact

of all resources duly recovered in the process. Naveed Ajaz Khan

CEO
Replicability and Scalability Municipal Council Baramulla
navidaijaz@[Link]
The Municipal Council Baramulla has set up an easy-to- eomcbaramulla@[Link]
replicate solid waste management apparatus that will
be highly beneficial if and when implemented in other
municipalities across India. The circular framework within
which it is set is highly environmentally beneficial and cost-
effective. Additionally, it urges social mobilization towards
climate-conscious waste management.

23
 Giving A New Home for
Old and Unused Goods:
Jamnagar RRR Centers

Introduction

Gujarat’s Jamnagar has steered itself towards the

determined goal of finding “A New Home for Old and Unused
Goods” in its bid to promote sustainable waste management State/UT Gujarat
practices and reduce the amount of waste generated and
sent to landfills or incinerators within the city limits. Reduce, Urban Local Body Jamnagar Municipal Corporation
Reuse, Recycle (RRR) centres were set up across the city as a Department/
one-stop solution that locals can avail to donate old and used Organisation Jamnagar Municipal Corporation
articles, such as books, clothes, toys, metal items, footwear,
Duration June - January 2024
and other utility items.

Activities

Citizens are encouraged to donate articles that can be put

to their second use. Citizens bring their donations to their
Impact
nearest ward office, which are called collection points. As
collection points gather various used items, Jamnagar’s
• Minimizes the amount of waste sent to
RRR centers actively sort daily donations to identify articles landfills and incinerators.
that can be repurposed or further donated to those in need.
Thereafter, the sorted items are sent to processing centres • Promotes sustainable social practices
where the articles were further sorted and repurposed or such as recycling, and encourages a sense
of social responsibility towards taking
upcycled to lengthen their lifecycle.
climate conscious actions.
Clothes and toys are distributed in local slum areas to people
in need. The books that are donated are further organised in
different cabinets to create ad hoc libraries for students or
citizens who might be in need of second-hand editions. To know more

Contact
Integration with Circular Economy Ketan Kateshiya
Deputy Engineer, Solid Waste Management
Metal scraps and broken toys are often passed onto local
Jamnagar Municipal Corporation
kabadiwalas who give them to recyclers for recycling. Further,
Jmcswm38@[Link]
reusable plastic items are also sent on to Material Recovery
Facilities to enable successful resource recovery, as required.

Replicability and Scalability

Jamnagar Municipal Corporation is planning to establish two

to three more RRR centres across the city, to enable better
accessibility for more communities and neighbourhoods.
RRR centres are a robust urban intervention into the issue
of proliferating municipal waste. Care should be taken to
ensure that the centres are easy to access and visible so that
citizens can avail of their services with little to no difficulties.

24
 Adding the 4th R to
RRR: Chandigarh’s One
Rupee Store
Introduction

The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh (MCC) has launched

a project to encourage the principles of Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle (RRR). The goal is to reduce waste, save resources,
and help people in need. The project collects used items, State/UT Chandigarh
refurbishes, and redistributes them to extend their lifecycle.
Urban Local Body
Municipal Corporation
A special RRR center has been set up where people can
Chandigarh
donate their old items. These items are repaired and then
made available at a One Rupee Store, making them affordable, Department/ Municipal Corporation
while also promoting sustainability. Organisation Chandigarh
Duration 1 year
Activities

MCC has established 35 RRR collection centers across

Chandigarh, along with Swachh Sawari for doorstep
donation collection. A permanent RRR Center at Sector 17
Plaza ensures smooth operations and draws donors from
Impact
across the city. Since its launch on June 7, 2023, the center
has received nearly 80,000 donated items, including clothes,
• The RRR model reduces the consumption
books, and shoes. Furthermore, the collected items were of raw materials and energy used in
refurbished. 27,000 of them were distributed to vulnerable manufacturing new products. Hence,
groups and 35,000 clothing items were repurposed by Self- greenhouse gas emissions are also
Help Groups. MCC also organises awareness campaigns in decreased.
partnership with NGOs and artisans for refurbishing items. It
• The engagement builds a sense of
also emphasizes employee engagement and maintains strict community by encouraging people to
quality control to ensure that the donated goods are suitable support sustainability while helping
for reuse. vulnerable groups.
• The initiative decreases the cost of
Integration with Circular Economy making a new product as well as creating
jobs in repair and refurbishing work.
This initiative follows the circular economy model, where used
items are collected, checked, repaired, and reused instead
of being discarded. This creates a successful, sustainable
system within the city by extending the life of products. The
One Rupee Store plays a key role by making refurbished To know more
items accessible to the community at a minimal cost. Contact

Gurinder Singh Sodhi

Replicability and Scalability Joint Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation Chandigarh
This initiative can be easily replicated within other cities
jtcmciii@[Link]
to improve their waste management and community
involvement. The RRR Center and One Rupee Store model
can be adapted to suit the requirements of different urban
areas. With the right awareness campaigns, this concept can
be scaled up to make cities more sustainable and waste-free.

25
 Effective Waste
Recycling Hub:
Jharkhand’s RRR Centre
Introduction

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Initiative encourages

individuals, businesses, and communities to reduce waste
production, reuse materials when possible, and recycle
discarded items to keep valuable resources in circulation.
This approach minimises the environmental impact of waste State/UT Jharkhand
and resource consumption. Urban Local Body Giridih Municipal Corporation
Department/
Activities Organisation Giridih Municipal Corporation
Eight RRR centres are functioning across Giridih, ensuring Duration 24 May 2023 to 03 June 2023
accessibility for both high-footfall and remote areas. Self-
Help Group (SHG) members from Moti SHG and Aparajita
SHG repurpose old clothes into doormats, pots from soap
wrappers, and bangle stands from unused papers to reduce
waste. Volunteers from Rotary Giridih, led by Vikas Sinha, Impact
actively collect and distribute used clothes to those in need,
contributing to reuse. A permanent recycling centre near
the Forest Office in Giridih converts old clothes into cotton, • Reduces waste generation and landfill
which is mixed with fresh cotton to create mattresses dependency.
at affordable prices. The recycling initiative, led by Md • Encourages responsible waste disposal,
Shahnawaz and his wife, is supported by Giridih Nagar leading to a cleaner and healthier urban
Nigam, which has provided infrastructure to sustain their environment.
livelihood. • Enhances civic engagement by rewarding
Additionally, the campaign leverages social media, print, active participation in waste reduction
and electronic media for outreach, ensuring maximum efforts, and awareness campaigns.
• Strengthens community engagement by
community participation. To encourage citizen involvement,
involving volunteers and NGOs.
participants receive 1 kg of compost made from wet waste
as an incentive, along with a certificate recognizing their • Reduces municipal expenses associated
contribution. with waste disposal and landfill
management.
• The recycling centre provides economic
Integration with Circular Economy
opportunities to local artisans and SHG
The initiative promotes sustainable resource utilization by members.
repurposing and recycling old clothes into useful products,
contributing to a circular economy.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact

The RRR model offers high replicability, as its core principles Abhishek Prakash
can be adapted to diverse regions. Giridih Municipal City Manager,
Corporation plans to scale up by increasing the number of Giridih Municipal Corporation
RRR centres, expanding SHG involvement, and integrating giridihmunicipalcorporation@[Link]
more recycling technologies. Other municipalities can adopt
similar models by engaging local communities, leveraging
existing infrastructure, and promoting awareness through
digital platforms.

26
 Reviving Resources:
Gangtok’s RRR Centre
Tackles Textile Waste

Introduction

The Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) launched the

RRR Centre in Deorali to combat textile waste pollution in State/UT Sikkim
natural waterways. Despite multiple awareness campaigns,
citizens continued discarding and disposing textiles Urban Local Body Gangtok Municipal Corporation
improperly. The initiative aims to encourage collection, reuse, Department/
and recycling to mitigate environmental damage. The key Organisation Gangtok Municipal Corporation
stakeholders were Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Citizens
and Registered Scrap Dealers.
Duration Operational since 2024

Activities

The RRR Centre, inaugurated on 24 June 2024, provides Impact

residents with a designated drop-off point for reusable
items such as old clothes, books, and fabric. GMC facilitates
collection and works with scrap dealers to transport materials • Diverts waste from landfills, reducing
outside Sikkim for recycling, as the state lacks processing environmental burden.
facilities. Regular collection drives in each ward ensure • Encourages a culture of reuse and
participation. responsible disposal.

Integration with circular economy

To know more
The initiative promotes sustainable consumption by
extending product lifecycles and reducing raw material Contact

demand. Scrap dealers play a key role in ensuring collected HK Chettri

materials are reintroduced into the economy through reuse Commissioner
and recycling. Gangtok Municipal Corporation
gangtok@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

Other urban local bodies in Sikkim can adopt this model to

enhance waste segregation and recycling. Establishing local
textile processing units would further increase efficiency and
economic benefits.

27
 Empowering Jamshedpur
Women: The SHS Group’s
RRR Model
Introduction

The SHS Group’s ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ Initiative empowers

women to transform plastic and dry waste into eco-
friendly products, fostering economic independence and
environmental conservation. State/UT Jharkhand

Urban Local Body

Jamshedpur Municipal
Activities
Corporation
A RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) centre has been established Jamshedpur Municipal
Department/
where women create bags, door curtains and mats, and Organisation Corporation
bedsheets from old clothes and envelopes from waste paper,
effectively replacing single-use plastics. By utilising recycled Duration 2022- ongoing
materials, they keep production costs low while ensuring
affordability for consumers. The Jamshedpur Notified Area
Committee (JNAC) has been purchasing the bags in bulk for
distribution within the community, providing a consistent
revenue stream for the women. By partnering with local Impact
medical associations, the women supply envelopes made
from waste paper, providing steady orders and enhancing
• Reduces plastic waste and promotes
their reputation as eco-friendly suppliers.
eco-friendly alternatives.
• Increases awareness of waste reduction
Integration with Circular Economy and recycling practices.
• Contributes to cleaner public spaces and
The initiative promotes circularity by repurposing plastic and reduced landfill burden.
dry waste into new products, reducing landfill dependency
and environmental degradation, enhancing resource • Enhances financial stability and self-
efficiency and minimising waste. Additionally, the initiative sufficiency for women by job generation.
Holds the potential for more job creation
ensures the sustainable use of resources through recycling
in the manufacturing chain.
and reuse, contributing to long-term environmental benefits
• Supports children’s education by
and providing income-generating opportunities for women improving household income.
through sustainable business practices. • Women act as advocates for sustainable
practices, raising awareness about the
Replicability and Scalability importance of recycling and responsible
waste management.
The SHS Group’s ‘RRR’ model can be replicated in other urban
and semi-urban regions to enhance women’s livelihoods and • Generates revenue through the sale of
recycled bags and envelopes, especially
promote sustainable waste management. Scaling strategies
through bulk purchase agreements
include - Expanding participation among more SHGs and
local market associations; Strengthening partnerships with
corporate CSR initiatives for funding and outreach; and
Establishing additional RRR centres to accommodate more To know more
participants and increase production. Contact
Deepak Sahay
Executive Officer,
Jamshedpur NAC,
jnacjsr@[Link]

28
 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
Jharkhand’s Initiative for
Waste Management
Introduction

Under the “Mera Life, Mera Swachh Shaher” campaign in

2023, the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC)
established RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) centers to promote
circular economy and best practices in waste management.
The initiative aimed to encourage citizens to bring unused State/UT Jharkhand
household items to the RRR centers for recycling and reuse. Jamshedpur Notified Area
Urban Local Body
Committee
Activities
Department/ Jamshedpur Notified Area
JNAC has set up 24 RRR Centers across the city, enabling the Organisation Committee
collection and processing of waste items such as old clothes, Duration 20th May 2023– ongoing
newspapers, footwear, and plastic waste. Public outreach
through social media, newspaper campaigns, and door-to-
door awareness drives has played a key role in engaging
citizens and fostering community participation, encouraging
them to donate waste. The waste is sorted in mainly 3 Impact
categories: cloths, footwear and plastic waste.
Recycled paper waste, including old newspapers and scrap • Reduction in plastic waste through the
paper, is processed into envelopes supplied to medical shops promotion of reusable products.
• Recycling of over 4 tons of paper and
through an MoU with the Medical Association, significantly
100 tons of old clothes, reducing landfill
reducing plastic waste. Collected clothing is transformed into
waste.
bags, carpets, doormats, and bed sheets, with over 100 tons • Conservation of resources through
of used clothing either repurposed or distributed to those waste diversion and sustainable
in need. Materials recovered from the initiative have been repurposing.
creatively repurposed in the Waste-to-Wonder Park, where • Women’s empowerment through skill
wooden frames retrieved from rivers have been converted development and income opportunities.
into chairs and dustbins, PET bottles have been made into • Community engagement in waste
plant pots, and old jeans have been upcycled into decorative reduction and responsible recycling
planters. Additionally, over 30 women from SHGs have been practices.
trained in recycling and repurposing waste into marketable • Revenue generated from recycled
products, providing economic opportunities. products such as paper bags, cloth bags,
and carpets.
• Cost savings by reducing plastic
Integration with Circular Economy dependency and promoting sustainable
alternatives.
The initiative fosters a closed-loop waste system by reducing
waste at the source, promoting upcycling, and repurposing
discarded materials. By diverting waste from landfills and
To know more
converting it into useful products, the program strengthens
resource efficiency and minimizes environmental impact. Contact

Jyoti Punj Pandey

Replicability and Scalability City Manager
Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee
The JNAC’s RRR Center model can be replicated in other jyotipunj14@[Link]
cities by establishing collection hubs, partnering with local
businesses, and engaging communities through awareness
campaigns.
29
 WASTE-TO-WEALTH
Waste can generate wealth, as it carries an inherent value that is not just a by-product;
it holds immense potential to be transformed into valuable resources. Tapping into this
value, sustainable practices endorsed by Government initiatives such as the Swachh
Bharat Mission and the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
(SATAT) scheme have encouraged innovative waste management solutions. Across the
country, states are adopting circular economy principles and leveraging technologies
for resource recovery, to turn waste into an economic and environmental opportunity.
From turning waste into nutrient-rich compost to repurposing discarded articles into
new products, India’s waste-to-wealth outlook emphasises the potential for waste
to yield reusable resources with financial value, blending innovation with dedicated
sustainable practice.

30
 Belagavi’s Floral Waste:
Karnataka’s Waste-to-
Wealth Opportunity
Introduction

Tackling the challenge of discarded floral waste that

accumulates at religious institutions, as well as during
major religious festivals or ceremonies, the Belagavi City
Corporation in Karnataka has implemented a sustainable State/UT Karnataka
strategy to recycle, reuse, and repurpose the floral waste to Urban Local Body Belagavi City Corporation
create incense sticks. Discarded flowers are often dumped
into local waterbodies such as rivers or lakes, perpetuating an Department/ Belagavi City Corporation, Durga
environmental hazard. This initiative is a critical intervention Organisation Self-Help Group
to counter the perils of untreated waste and prevent it from
Duration 2023-onwards
contaminating and destabilising local ecosystems.

Activities

The Belagavi City Corporation has set up a facility in the Impact

Ashoka Nagar Wholesale Flower Market within the city
premises to create a localised and targeted taskforce. The
market generates more than 500 kilograms of flower waste • The project generates public awareness
per day. The identification of the market as a bulk-waste and accountability about the life cycle of
generator within the purview of this intervention has enabled waste.
the in-situ collection, management, and processing of the • The project also encourages the city
waste concerned. The project is operated by a team of 10 to opt for recycled, repurposed, and
members from the Durga Self-Help Group that oversee the biodegradable products available in the
conversion of the waste into the incense sticks by first drying market and to consider better ways of
the flowers and then converting them into powder form. managing their waste, empowering the
public to make informed decisions.

Integration with Circular Economy

The Belagavi City Corporation has successfully initiated a To know more

zero-waste framework to implement the tenets of a circular
economy in the aforementioned market. The floral waste Contact

collected is completely utilised in the making of the incense Shubha. B.

sticks, simultaneously encouraging social awareness about Commissioner,
the importance of reusing and recycling waste products Belagavi City Corporation,
wherever possible. itstaff_ulb_belgaum@[Link]

Replicability and Scalability

The initiative can be replicated in many areas where floral

waste poses a challenge. Bulk-waste generators can be
identified locally, to initiate pilot projects before eventually
expanding the same across other urban or rural pockets in
the state.

31
 Bricks Out Of Coconut
Shell Waste: Karnataka’s
Chittapura Approach
Introduction

The Chittapura Town Municipal Council is working in the

Kalabaurgi District in Karnataka to tackle the challenge
posed by discarded coconut shells. Coconut shells are often
dumped in dumpsites or landfills or incinerated, releasing
harmful toxins and greenhouse gas emissions. The municipal State/UT Karnataka
council has also taken informed steps to collect, segregate, Chittapura Town Municipal
process, and repurpose the floral waste that generates in Urban Local Body
Council
bulk during the Ganesha Festival.
Department/ Chittapura Town Municipal
Activities
Organisation Council
Duration Ongoing
The Chittapura Town Municipal Council processes the
coconut shells by converting them into cocopeat bricks.
Cocopeat from the coconut husks is salvaged and extracted,
while the coconut husks are shredded in shredding machines,
dried, screened, and mixed with water to make a durable Impact
solution. The materials are then fashioned into bricks,
creating a zero-waste process. The municipal council is able
• The project also tackles the issue of
to produce 20-25 bricks every month.
source segregation, as well as integrates
The floral waste is dealt with in a similar manner. Earlier, the important verticals of reuse, reduce,
the flowers were mixed with the other wet waste that is and recycle to help reduce the adverse
generated during the festival. The municipal council has since impacts of waste on the environment.
taken the initiative to segregate the flower waste so that they • Both the cocopeat bricks as well as
may be used to create incense and dhoop sticks. The flowers the incense and dhoop sticks are
are collected and dried, and thereafter mixed with sawdust economically viable products that are
and charcoal. Fragrance is added to the resulting mixture to sold in the market.
increase its market value and consumer interest.

Integration with Circular Economy To know more

The reuse of coconut husks and flower waste to create Contact

biodegradable products by the Chittapura Town Municipal Sri Husamuddin KMAS
Council is a step in the right direction to entrench the tenets Chief Officer,
of a circular economy within the state. The waste materials Chittapur Town Municipal Council,
are completely used to create new products, extending their itstaff_ulb_chittapur@[Link]
overall life-cycle, and avoiding their transportation to landfills
or incinerators which are harmful methods of dealing with
bulk waste.

Replicability and Scalability

This initiative is a good strategy that may be implemented to

help coastal towns and cities to address their issues with the
amount of coconut waste generated.

32
 Ujjain’s Floral Alchemy:
From Temple Waste
To Incense And
Empowerment
Introduction

The Incense making plant in Ujjain aims to provide a

sustainable solution for managing temple flower waste
while generating economic and environmental benefits. State/UT Madhya Pradesh
The initiative prevents floral waste from polluting rivers Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Ujjain
and landfills by converting it into incense sticks, Gulal,
and Dhoop Batti, and empowering local women through Directorate of Urban
Department/
employment opportunities. Temple authorities, including Organisation Administration and Development,
Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, Madhya Pradesh
provide floral waste and support collection efforts. Ujjain Duration Operational since 2019
Municipal Corporation facilitates waste management
policies and infrastructure. Pushpanjali Eco Nirmit oversees
collection, processing, and distribution of products.
Impact
Activities

The initiative aims to reduce temple floral waste by • Prevents floral waste from polluting
converting it into value-added products like incense sticks, rivers and landfills.
Gulal, and Dhoop Batti, thereby promoting sustainability. A • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and
dedicated plant processes waste efficiently while creating enhances biodiversity by minimising
employment for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Daily chemical pollutants in water bodies.
floral waste is collected from temples, sorted to remove
• Provides stable employment and
non-biodegradable materials, and then dried and processed
financial independence through SHGs,
into powders. Essential oils are extracted for fragrance, thereby empowering women.
and SHGs handle production using eco-friendly packaging. • Enhances entrepreneurial capabilities
Products are distributed through temple shops and online and skills of women involved in the
platforms, supported by awareness campaigns encouraging initiative.
responsible waste disposal. • Improves cleanliness and hygiene in
temple premises, benefiting devotees
and visitors.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Boosts demand for raw materials,
The initiative reinforces circular economy principles by
packaging, and distribution networks.
recycling floral waste into high quality incense products, Thus it boosts local economy.
having high economic value.

Replicability and Scalability

To know more
The initiative has strong replication potential in temple Contact

cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, Mathura, and Ayodhya, where Mr. Anand Parmar
floral waste generation is significant. Expansion requires Sub-Engineer cum Plant In-Charge,
Ujjain Municipal Corporation,
partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and religious
commujjain@[Link]
institutions. Scalability can be achieved by increasing
temple participation, diversifying product lines to include Mr. Manpreet Singh Arora
Plant Owner,
compost and herbal soaps, and strengthening e-commerce
Pushpanjali Eco Nirmit
collaborations for nationwide sales. pushpanjalieconirmit@[Link]

33
 Odisha Floral SHG’s:
Turning Waste to Valuable
Products
Introduction

Sambalpur in Odisha has a vast cultural heritage,

encompassing numerous temples and religious places
of worship. Flowers offered at temples accumulate in
large volumes as waste material raising serious concerns State/UT Odisha
and challenges in their disposal. Sambalpur Municipal
Corporation in collaboration with Punam SHG ideated and
Urban Local Body Sambalpur Municipal Corporation
implemented a waste management and recycling scheme to Department/ Sambalpur Municipal
convert floral waste to incense sticks (or agarbatis) and gulaal Organisation Corporation, Swadhar Guru
(a coloured powder, often red, that is used in festivals and
religious rituals). Duration Ongoing

Activities

In order to initiate an effective and economically sustainable

endeavour, the project was handed over to a Self-Help Group Impact
(SHG), consisting of locals from Swadhar Gruh (a safe home
for victims of unfortunate circumstances, violence, and • Recycling flower waste has helped
domestic abuse. Sambalpur Municipal Corporation set up a minimise the amount of waste produced,
flower waste processing plant with a 200 kg/day intake and thereby reducing land and water
100 kg/day processing capacity. SHG members received pollution and subsequently reduced the
amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
technical training for operations, marketing, and waste
collection, supported by a Battery Operated Vehicle and • An empowering and income generating
Swaccha Sathis. Currently, over 8 kg of waste is collected initiative, it has provided employment
daily from 28 temples through a structured route system. opportunities to the women that came
The waste collected is sorted and repurposed as incense together to form the SHG that has been
sticks, gulaal, mosquito repellants, candles, and coco peat. dedicatedly involved in the same.

Integration with Circular Economy

This model is adherent to the principles of a circular economy To know more

for endeavouring to minimise waste, and also repurposing
the same into biodegradable products within an economically Contact
viable blueprint. Geeta Das
President, Punam SHG
Replicability and Scalability Bhagabati Sahu
Secretary, Punam SHG
This is a replicable model for cities that can similarly identify
[Link]@[Link]
waste producing places of worship, and help mitigate
pollution and its adverse environmental impact by staging a
strong intervention.

34
 From Coconut Shell to
Coir: Jharkhand’s SHG
Initiative
Introduction

Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has launched a waste

management initiative to efficiently process green coconut
shells that were previously indiscriminately dumped around
the Ratu Road vegetable market, causing environmental State/UT Jharkhand
and sanitation concerns. The initiative aims to achieve
waste reduction and employment generation by converting Urban Local Body Ranchi Municipal Corporation
discarded coconut shells into valuable, marketable products. Department/
This project promotes sustainable urban cleanliness while Organisation Ranchi Municipal Corporation
ensuring economic empowerment for local communities, Duration ongoing
particularly Self-Help Group (SHG) members.

Activities

A coconut shell processing machine has been installed at the

Impact
Ratu Road vegetable market to systematically process waste
generated from coconut consumption. The machine has a • Reduces organic waste accumulation,
daily processing capacity of 5000 kg, significantly reducing minimizing landfill dependency.
organic waste accumulation and mitigating environmental • Supports soil enrichment and sustainable
pollution. The processed coconut waste is transformed into horticulture initiatives.
eco-friendly and commercially viable products, contributing • Enhances public hygiene by reducing
to sustainable waste utilization. open dumping and mosquito breeding
grounds.
Integration with Circular Economy • Creates livelihood opportunities for
SHG members, fostering economic
This initiative integrates circular economy principles through empowerment.
waste recycling, reuse, and value addition. By diverting • Encourages community participation in
green coconut shells from landfills, the project ensures that waste management.
they are repurposed into products that enhance soil health • Generates revenue through the sale of
and reduce dependency on chemical fertilisers. processed coconut-based products.
• Establishes a market-based sustainability
Replicability and Scalability model, reducing waste management
costs.
This initiative is highly replicable in other cities and towns
where large amounts of coconut waste are generated,
particularly around fruit markets and vendor hubs. Future To know more
scalability can be achieved by expanding processing centers, Contact
strengthening SHG participation, and diversifying product
Rupesh Ranian
lines into coir mats, compost, and bio-bricks. Establishing
City Manager-SBM
direct sales channels with agricultural and horticultural
Ranchi Municipal Corporation,
sectors will further enhance the project’s economic viability.
support@[Link].

35
 Wat A Scrap’:
Transforming Leftover
Fabrics Into Functional
Products
Introduction

“Wat A Scrap” is an innovative upcycling brand founded

by sisters Maansi and Jharna, with manufacturing units in
State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, and Dehradun. The brand is committed Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Jammu
to sustainability by repurposing leftover boutique fabrics
from their own and other local boutiques. By transforming Department/ Housing & Urban Development
discarded fabrics into functional products, they significantly
Organisation Department
reduce textile waste and promote a circular economy. Duration 1 Year

Activities

The initiative focuses on transforming leftover boutique

fabrics into high-quality, stylish fabric bags, providing an Impact
eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Boutique fabrics generally
have rich textures and vibrant colors which are ideal for
crafting unique and durable products. The process begins • “Wat A Scrap” significantly reduces
with sourcing and assessing fabrics to determine their best textile waste and its associated
use, ensuring minimal wastage. Various bag styles, including ecological footprint. The initiative helps
lower land, air, and water pollution
tote bags, clutches, drawstring pouches, and cosmetic
by diverting waste from landfills.
bags, are designed based on fabric patterns and textures.
The brand’s eco-conscious products
By integrating artisanal craftsmanship, the brand not only encourage responsible consumption
creates aesthetically appealing products but also adds value and align with the growing trend of
to what would otherwise be textile waste. sustainable fashion.
• The initiative supports the livelihood
Integration with Circular Economy of artisans involved in the production
process thereby generating employment
“Wat A Scrap” successfully embodies circular economy opportunities. Each bag tells a unique
principles by extending the lifecycle of textile waste. story through its blend of colors and
The initiative ensures that high quality fabric scraps are textures, appealing to consumers who
repurposed into functional products that reduces product value both style and sustainability.
dependency on raw materials. This initiative offers eco-
friendly alternatives and additionally generates employment
opportunities. To know more

Contact
Replicability and Scalability
Maansi Gupta
The “Wat A Scrap model” can be replicated in cities with Founder
a strong presence of boutiques and textile industries. As Wat a Scrap
textile waste remains a major challenge for the industry, this justmaansi@[Link]
initiative also has the potential to be scaled up by large textile
powerhouses, further promoting sustainability and waste
reduction.

36
 Harnessing Horticulture
Waste: Ghaziabad’s
Biochar & Wood Vinegar
Revolution
Introduction

The Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam’s horticulture waste processing

initiative converts waste into valuable products like biochar State/UT Uttar Pradesh
and wood vinegar, enhancing soil fertility and promoting
sustainable agriculture. Stakeholders include municipal Urban Local Body Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
authorities, agricultural communities, and environmental Department/
agencies. The project promotes recycling, minimizes waste, Organisation Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
and offers cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives to
chemicals.

Activities
Impact
The waste management initiative includes an efficient
system for horticulture waste collection and processing.
Approximately 20 metric tons (MT) of horticulture waste is • Minimises landfill dependency and
carbon emissions by diverting waste
collected daily using 15–20 tractors, followed by shredding
from open burning.
or chipping to facilitate efficient thermal treatment. The
chipped waste is transferred to reactors for thermal • Enhances livelihoods by creating jobs
processing. Then, it is heated in the absence of oxygen at in waste processing and distribution,
elevated temperatures (e.g., 600°C) to produce biochar and improves farmers.
syngas. After cooling, biochar is extracted, and wood vinegar • GNN can claim carbon credits for
is captured as a valuable byproduct for soil enhancement. biochar production, with carbon credit
Quality checks ensure these materials meet agricultural and prices ranging from USD 25 to 60 per
environmental standards. The biochar and wood vinegar are metric ton. At a conservative estimate
distributed to local farmers, cooperatives, and horticultural of USD 25 per MT, and considering that
enterprises, with training sessions to promote proper usage. biochar yield is 25 percent of the input
A feedback loop is established. Revenue generation is driven material, the total biochar output from
by the sale of biochar, wood vinegar, and potential carbon 7,000 MT of waste would be 1,750 MT.
credits. Earnings are reinvested to scale operations, improve This results in potential carbon credit
earnings of USD 43,750 (1,750 MT ×
technology, and expand the initiative’s impact.
USD 25). Converting this at an exchange
rate of INR 85 per USD, the carbon credit
Integration with Circular Economy revenue amounts to INR 37,18,750.

The initiative focuses on recycling and reusing horticulture

waste by converting it into valuable resources such as biochar To know more
and wood vinegar. Through thermal treatment, waste is
transformed into high-quality agricultural inputs. Contact

Vikramaditya Singh Malik, IAS

Replicability and Scalability Municipal Commissioner,
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
The model is adaptable and can be replicated through strong gzb.-[Link]@[Link]
stakeholder engagement, including government support,
active farmer participation, and robust partnerships with
private enterprises and research institutions.

37
 Transforming Old Buses
Into: Patna’s Mobile Pink
Toilets
Introduction

Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is repurposing End-

of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) into mobile PINK Toilets by reusing,
refurbishing, and redesigning them. Salvaging ELVs recovers
valuable materials, reducing waste and promoting resource
efficiency. These mobile toilets, deployable based on crowd State/UT Bihar
density, shall promote employment while supporting Urban Local Body Patna Municipal Corporation
environmental sustainability.
Urban Development & Housing
Department/
Activities Organisation Department , Govt. of Bihar /
Patna Municipal Corporation
PMC identified scrapped buses, typically 10–15 years old,
and repurposed them into mobile sanitation units, to include
Duration 2024- till date
both Western and Indian toilet facilities, wash basins, and
sanitary napkin vending machines. A mini café and rest
area were also added at the back of each unit. To enhance
visibility and hygiene awareness, the buses were painted and Impact
branded accordingly. Women-led groups were identified and
trained to operate these mobile toilets They were also linked
with various financial schemes to improve their livelihood • Prevents hazardous waste leakage from
prospects. To maintain hygiene qualities, regular monitoring scrapped vehicles.
mechanisms were also implemented. • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
linked to new vehicle manufacturing.
Integration with Circular Economy • Lowers landfill dependency through
vehicle repurposing
This initiative aligns with the principles of circular economy • Provides safe and hygienic toilets for
by refurbishing scrapped vehicles into sanitation facilities to women.
promote environmental sustainability and enhance women’s • Encourages women’s entrepreneurship
through toilet and café management.
safety and hygiene. It extends the lifespan of the vehicle while
• Supports social inclusion and dignity for
mitigating hazardous waste generation. This approach also
sanitation workers
contributes to the minimization of environmental pollution, • Cost-effective utilization of scrapped
including air, soil, and water contamination, through the vehicles.
responsible disposal and reuse of vehicle components. • Generates livelihood opportunities for
women.
Replicability and Scalability

This initiative is suitable for densely populated urban areas

with limited sanitation facilities, given the mobile and space
efficient nature of PINK toilets. It can be scaled under To know more
Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and replicated by other Urban Contact
Local Bodies (ULBs) using scrapped municipal vehicles.
Arvind Kumar,
Solid Waste Management Expert
Patna Municipal Corporation
jnu_arvind@[Link]

38
 Leh’s Art: Repurposing
Industrial Scrap Metals
Introduction

The Ladakh UT Administration embarked on an innovative

project to repurpose industrial waste into artistic creations,
fostering sustainability while promoting artistic expression.
Through the development of waste hubs, scrap metals and
other industrial by-products are transformed into sculptures,
aligning with circular economy principles. This initiative
not only addresses waste management challenges but also State/UT Ladakh
enhances cultural and artistic engagement within the region.
Urban Local Body Leh
Activities Department/ Directorate of Urban Local
Organisation Bodies, Ladakh
To facilitate the upcycling of industrial scrap, the Ladakh UT
administration has established waste hubs in Ladakh. These Duration Initiated in 2023
hubs serve as creative centres where artists and sculptors
can access discarded industrial materials to craft sculptures
and other artistic pieces.
A key milestone of the initiative was the organisation of Impact
the 1st Ladakh National Scrap Art Symposium. Hosted by
the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, the event brought
together 15 artists and sculptors. Through hands-on • The upcycling of scrap metals
significantly reduces waste sent
workshops, participants explored the potential of industrial
to landfills, thereby minimising
scrap materials to create unique works of art.
environmental pollution.
The final sculptures produced during the symposium were • By repurposing discarded materials,
publicly displayed near the NDS Stadium in Ladakh during the the project mitigates greenhouse
Youth-20 (Y-20) Summit in 2023. This exhibition provided an gas emissions associated with raw
opportunity for visitors, delegates, and the local community material extraction and waste disposal.
Furthermore, by preventing waste
to appreciate the artistic and environmental significance
accumulation in natural ecosystems,
of upcycling industrial waste. The initiative also gained
the initiative contributes to biodiversity
recognition at the national level when the Hon’ble Minister of preservation.
Power and Housing and Urban Affairs visited the exhibition
during an official tour to Ladakh in November 2024. • The initiative fosters creative
engagement, raises environmental
awareness, and provides local artists
Integration with Circular Economy
with a platform to showcase their work.
This initiative exemplifies circular economy principles by The public display of upcycled sculptures
also enhances the visual and cultural
promoting the recycling and reuse of industrial waste. The
appeal of urban spaces.
transformation of scrap metal into sculptures not only
reduces landfill waste but also adds cultural and economic
value. By extending the lifecycle of industrial materials, the
project minimises the need for new raw material extraction. To know more
Contact
Moses Kunzang
Replicability and Scalability
Director Urban Local Bodies, Ladakh
The model can be replicated in other regions with high volumes
Stanzin Rabgais
of industrial waste where more artists and communities can
Executive officer
engage in sustainable upcycling practices. The expansion of
Municipal Committee, Leh
upcycling workshops and permanent public art displays can
dulbladakh@[Link]
foster economic growth and promote tourism.

39
 Bricks from Bottles:
Dharmanagar’s Innovative
Glass Recycling Initiative
Introduction

The Dharmanagar Municipal Council in North Tripura

district has introduced an initiative under the RRR (Reduce,
Reuse, Recycle) program to repurpose glass waste,
particularly glass bottles, instead of disposing of them. This
practice not only contributes to waste management but also State/UT Tripura
supports sustainable infrastructure development within the
community.
Urban Local Body Dharmanagar Municipal Council
Department/ Local Self Government
Activities Organisation Department

The Council’s glass recycling initiative involves several

key activities aimed at repurposing glass waste. First,
regular waste collection services gather glass bottles
from residential and commercial areas, ensuring they are Impact
separated from general waste for proper handling. Once
collected, the bottles are crushed into a fine, sand-like dust,
making the glass waste manageable for reuse. This crushed • Significantly reduces the volume of glass
glass is then mixed with sand and cement in a specific ratio bottles discarded as waste, minimizing
to create a strong, durable mixture suitable for construction. landfill pressure.
The resulting sand-cement-glass dust mixture is molded • Reduces the need for new raw materials
into bricks, which are used in various infrastructure projects in the construction industry, such
managed by the council, such as compost pit walls and plinth as sand, contributing to resource
drains. A dedicated team of four workers oversees the entire conservation.
process, ensuring the quality of the bricks and the smooth • Provides an environmentally friendly
operation of the recycling initiative. This systematic approach alternative to traditional building
promotes the development of eco-friendly infrastructure materials and promotes long-term
within the community. sustainability.

• Creates employment opportunities

Integration with Circular Economy for local workers, contributing to the
community’s economy.
This initiative promotes circular economy by repurposing
waste materials, reducing landfill pressure, and minimizing
the need for new raw materials, thus conserving natural
resources. To know more

Contact
Replicability and Scalability Sajal Debnath
Chief Operating Officer
The program can be replicated in other urban areas,
Dharmanagar Municipal Council
with potential to expand to include a greater variety of
[Link]@[Link]
construction materials made from recycled glass. Efforts to
nagartripuradmn@[Link]
raise public awareness and explore partnerships can further
enhance the initiative’s impact.

40
 Creating A Circular Loop:
Jammu And Kashmir
Tackles Organic Waste
Introduction

Samast Eco-Alternatives has launched a sustainable initiative

in Jammu and Kashmir to address the issue of accumulated
animal dung, and floral waste generated in temples. This
project is crucial as untreated cow dung and floral waste often State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
contaminate water bodies. Concurrently, the organisation Urban Local Body Jammu Municipal Corporation
targets the twin objectives of women’s empowerment while
also fostering a reduced dependency on single-use plastic Department/ Samast Eco-Alternatives Private
products within the community, especially during the festival Organisation Limited
season.
Duration 2021-Ongoing

Activities

Samast Eco-Alternatives has particularly intervened in rural

areas where cow dung and floral waste are abundant and
Impact
often underutilised. They have developed and implemented
a unique approach that transforms cow dung and floral waste • This initiative minimises the waste
into rich resources used to create biodegradable products. sent to landfills, reduces land and
The cow dung is incinerated to yield ash that can additionally water pollution, and encourages active
be used as an effective insecticide or fertiliser. The residue is community participation.
sun-dried and moulded into the desired leak-proof products,
• This scheme has generated employment
using no chemical additives in what is a completely zero-
for several rural women and artisans,
waste procedure. These items include diyas, pots, cow dung providing them with a steady income. Till
logs, and other decorative articles that have since replaced date, more than 200 rural women have
single-use plastics and other unsustainable materials in received training through the project to
Jammu and Kashmir. Floral waste is also likewise processed, successfully implement its targets.
shredded, and powdered to enable its recycling and reuse as
• Samast Eco-Alternatives has conducted
incense sticks, that are ripe for distribution in the market. workshops in different schools, colleges,
and institutions to equip participants
Integration with Circular Economy with the necessary skills required for
creating sustainable alternatives to non-
The waste generated from animals and religious biodegradable products.
institutions are processed and effectively reused to make • This initiative has empowered the
new biodegradable products. This initiative promotes community, especially its women, to take
environmental sustainability and serves as a replicable a more active and informed stance with
model for other regions facing similar waste management respect to its underutilised waste.
challenges.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

The initiative can be replicated in many rural areas where Contact

cow dung and floral waste pose a challenge. Rajat Salgotra
Director
Samast Eco-Alternatives Private Limited
salgotra.rajat94@[Link]

41
 The COCO Approach:
Udaipur’s Waste
Management Initiative
Introduction

The Nagar Nigam Udaipur has initiated a project focused on

converting coconut shells into reusable products, specifically
Rope and COCO Pit. This initiative aims to compost wet
waste generated by the Urban Local Body (ULB) while also
creating art from scrap and metal components. The key State/UT Rajasthan
stakeholders involved are Trassonomy Private Limited and
Nagar Nigam Udaipur.
Urban Local Body Nagar Nigam Udaipur
Department/
Organisation Nagar Nigam Udaipur
Activities
Duration From 2021
The project has completed its milestone by achieving the
production of reusable products from 30 tons of scrap
and waste metal components. In addition, it has utilized
approximately 20 tons of wet waste, resulting in the
production of 8 tons of COCO Pit and 6 tons of Rope. Impact
This dual approach promotes waste reduction and also
creates valuable products that contribute to environmental
sustainability. • The project has established a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Integration with Circular Economy with Trassonomy Private Ltd., generating
an annual royalty of 12 lakhs and 50
The initiative integrates circular economy principles by percent commercial user charges.
reusing waste materials for the production of valuable
products.

Replicability and Scalability

To know more
The project demonstrates a potential for replication in other
Contact
urban areas that prioritize waste management and resource
Lakhan Lal Bairwa
recovery. By adopting similar practices, other cities can
Executive Engineer,
effectively manage their waste while generating valuable
Nagar Nigam Udaipur
products. Additionally, there is considerable scalability in
[Link]@[Link]
the initiative, as it can be expanded to include the production
of charcoal from the processed waste, further enhancing
resource utilization and contributing to sustainable practices
in waste management.

42
 WASTE-TO-WONDER
Blending resourcefulness, sustainability and creativity into one, India’s waste-to-
wonder outlook finds artistic expression in discarded materials. Imbibing the principle
of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, artists, engineers, and inventors of all
ages across the country have created sculptures, installations, artistic attractions,
and other valuable imaginative and inventive crafts by recycling discarded scrap
materials, such as metals, paper, plastic, cardboard, wood, glass, and rubber. While
this is a sustainable practice rooted in the principles of reuse, reduce, and recycle, the
installations also help engage local communities through increased visibility. It raises
awareness about the problems of proliferating waste materials, the importance of
source segregation, and the imperative of mindful consumption across all sectors.

43
 Waste to Art Project:
How UP Darshan Park
Champions Circular
Economy
Introduction

The UP Darshan Park, developed under the Waste to

Art Project, exemplifies circular economy principles by State/UT Uttar Pradesh
transforming scrap materials into artistic and educational
attractions. Urban Local Body Lucknow Municipal Corporation
Department/
Organisation Ztech limited.
Activities
Duration 7 Months
The park features replicas of renowned monuments from
Uttar Pradesh, diverting over 260 tons of waste from landfills
while promoting sustainability and public awareness about
recycling. The key stakeholders in this initiative include
the government, which provided the land for the park, Impact
and the municipality, which managed waste procurement.
Impact
Additionally, a team of 15 artists, skilled welders and
architects and artists played a crucial role in designing and • Waste diversion from landfills, leading to
developing the park, transforming waste materials into a reduced carbon footprint.
artistic and cultural landmarks.
• Majority of the park operates on solar
power, reducing dependence on fossil
Integration with Circular Economy fuels.

The project repurposed 350 tons of waste, including metal • Onsite composting pit and an in-house
scraps, wood, rolling shutters, e-waste, and iron scraps. waste segregation system categorize
waste into dry, wet, and horticultural
An onsite waste segregation system was established to
waste.
categorize waste into dry, wet, and horticultural waste,
ensuring efficient sorting and processing. Additionally, • Dry waste collected is consigned back to
recycling and composting practices were implemented to the municipality for further processing.
manage park-generated waste sustainably, further promoting • Promotes global sustainability goals by
environmental responsibility. educating the public on waste recycling
and cultural conservation.
Replicability and Scalability • The tourism sector benefits from
increased visitor engagement.
The model can be replicated in other cities to develop
waste-to-art parks, improving urban aesthetics, promoting
sustainability, and contributing to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
rankings. The project’s scalability allows expansion using To know more
various waste materials to create cultural and artistic
Contact
landmarks.
Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh
GM (Project),
Lucknow Smart City
lkosmartcity@[Link]

44
 Musical Square:
Refurbishing Ghaziabad’s
Scrap Waste
Introduction

Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has established the Musical

Square, an innovative landmark where musical models crafted
from scrap materials create a stunning visual and auditory
experience. Inspired by a musical theme, this square has State/UT Uttar Pradesh
gained immense popularity among locals, becoming a bustling
attraction. It not only promotes a message of cleanliness Urban Local Body Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
but also exemplifies the principles of RRR—Reduce, Reuse, Department/
Organisation Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
Recycle. By incorporating sustainable practices, this initiative
encourages eco-friendly living, enhances public awareness
of waste management, and contributes to a cleaner, greener
Ghaziabad, benefiting the community as a whole. The
Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) leads the project Impact
with support from local artists, recycling vendors, community
organisations, and environmental agencies.
• Reduces landfill waste, promotes
recycling, and minimizes the
Activities
environmental footprint.
The Musical Square near Vasundhara features murals, • Cost-effective use of scrap materials
installations, and soundscapes, with instruments like Rudra reduces project expenses while
Veena, Nagarda, Veena, Tabla, Tordi, and Dhol, all crafted from promoting local industry.
scrap materials. Each installation highlights traditional Indian
music, from the deep beats of the Nagarda to the rhythmic
Tabla and folk instruments like Tordi and Dhol. Interactive To know more
elements such as QR codes provide educational content on Contact
waste management. The space also serves as a venue for
Vikramaditya Singh Malik, IAS
cultural events and performances promoting cleanliness
Municipal Commissioner,
and sustainability. Regular maintenance ensures safety and
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam,
longevity, while public feedback helps refine the initiative.
gzb.-[Link]@[Link]

Integration with Circular Economy

Waste and scrap materials are repurposed into artistic

installations, transforming discarded items into valuable
public assets. These cultural and educational artifacts
promote sustainability while enhancing community spaces.

Replicability and Scalability

The project can scale through geographical expansion,

establishing creative spaces in more urban areas, and
enhancing collaborations with local artists, cultural
institutions, and waste management firms.

45
 Delhi’s Bharat Darshan
Park: Transforming Scrap
into Artistic Wonders
Introduction

MCD has developed Bharat Darshan Park as a unique waste-

to-art initiative. Based on the 3R principles of Reduce, Reuse,
and Recycle, this project utilizes approximately 350 MT of
scrap materials, including old vehicles, iron rods, electric
poles, and other abandoned items. State/UT Delhi

Urban Local Body

Municipal Corporation of Delhi
Activities
(MCD)
Spread across 8 acres, Bharat Darshan Park features 21
Department/ Department of Environment and
replicas of India’s iconic monuments, such as Qutab Minar, Taj Organisation Management services
Mahal, Charminar, Gateway of India, Konark Temple, Mysore
Palace, and more. A central Banyan Tree represents the Duration Since Dec 2021
Bodhi Tree, adding symbolic significance to the park’s artistic
landscape. The initiative has involved multiple stakeholders,
including tourists, zonal officials, artists, and the horticulture
department, ensuring collaborative development and
maintenance. The project promotes Swachhata se Sundarta Impact
(beauty through cleanliness), Swadesh Darshan (domestic
tourism), and Skill Development, reinforcing the cultural and
environmental impact of waste repurposing. • Reduces landfill burden and the
environmental impact of scrap disposal.
Integration with Circular Economy • Mitigates waste toxicity and promotes
eco-friendly urban planning.
The park exemplifies the integration of circular economy
• Enhances public awareness of recycling
principles through its Waste-to-Wealth and Waste-to-Art
and artistic reuse of [Link]
models, creating both aesthetic and economic value. It reuses domestic tourism and cultural
and repurposes discarded materials, and recycles scrap preservation.
components into visually appealing and culturally significant
structures. • Generates revenue through visitor entry
fees, with daily earnings reaching up to
`8,50,000.
Replicability and Scalability
• Expected annual revenue of
The Waste-to-Wonder Park model can be replicated by other `15,00,00,000, making the initiative
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) by utilizing their accumulated financially self-sustaining.
scrap materials from old vehicles, seized hoardings, and other
items. This approach provides an innovative way to manage
waste while creating public spaces that generate economic To know more
and social benefits. Contact

Vandana Rao, IAS

Deputy Commissioner, City SP,
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
mcdswachhsurvekshan@[Link]

46
 Studio Kilab’s
Sustainable Craft
Innovation in Srinagar

Introduction

Studio Kilab (Kashmir Innovation Lab) is a multi-disciplinary

design studio dedicated to blending traditional craftsmanship
with contemporary design to tackle socio-economic
challenges. The initiative collaborates with artisans to refine
State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
techniques and create modern craft-based products suited Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Srinagar
for today’s markets. The studio not only preserves Kashmir’s
renowned papier-mâché heritage but also establishes a Department/ Housing & Urban Development
sustainable and ethical supply chain that benefits artisans
Organisation Department
and B2B brands. Duration 1 Year

Activities

Studio Kilab operates at the intersection of tradition and

modernity, leveraging design thinking to empower local Impact
artisans and boost economic opportunities. The studio
produces innovative craft items such as papier-mâché
switchboards, bluetooth speakers, furniture, lighting, • Studio Kilab’s initiative significantly
mementos, and decorative pieces, all made with sustainable reduces paper waste, which directly
affects land and water pollution.
materials. The initiative enhances material efficiency and
Additionally, the reduced demand for
offers a dignified livelihood for artisans by optimising
raw materials lowers carbon emissions
traditional production techniques. To reinforce sustainability, associated with production and waste
Studio Kilab has also established a papier-mâché cooperative disposal, contributing to a cleaner
that converts discarded paper into high-value artisanal environment. The initiative also
products. This approach promotes waste reduction, resource promotes responsible consumption by
efficiency, and a closed-loop production system where waste encouraging buyers to support eco-
materials are repurposed into functional and artistic goods. friendly products.

• The project creates employment in the

Integration with Circular Economy recycling, upcycling, and sustainable
design sectors, fostering economic
Studio Kilab embraces circular economy principles by resilience among artisans.
reducing reliance on raw materials and promoting resource
efficiency. The cooperative ensures that waste paper is
transformed into high-quality products, minimising landfill
To know more
contribution. By integrating local artisans into sustainable
production cycles, the initiative extends the lifespan of raw Contact
materials while fostering eco-conscious consumer behaviour Burhan Ud Din Khateeb
Founder,
Replicability and Scalability Studio Kilab
studiokilab@[Link]
The Studio Kilab model can be replicated in cities that
have strong artisan networks. By integrating NGOs and
community-driven efforts, similar initiatives can expand into
new regions.

47
 Prayagraj’s Shivalaya
Park: A Heritage
Reimagined
Introduction

Shivalaya Park, a unique “Waste-to-Wonder” destination

in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, spans over 11 acres, blending
sustainability, culture, and spirituality. With 22 spectacular
replicas of renowned temples, such as Jyotirlingas and other State/UT Uttar Pradesh
significant Hindu structures, the park honours India’s rich
spiritual legacy while raising awareness of environmental Urban Local Body Prayagraj Municipal Corporation
issues. A wide range of stakeholders played a key role in
Department/ PWD, Prayagraj Municipal
the initiative. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation led Organisation Corporation
the project, collaborating with artists, artisans, private
partners, and urban planners. The local community actively Duration 4 months
participated in its development, and the Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) model ensured efficient execution and
long-term sustainability.
Impact
Impact
Activities

A team of artists and artisans repurposed over 450 tonnes • Repurposed over 450 tonnes of scrap
of waste to create 18 mega temples and various installations. into sculptures, reducing landfill
Sourced from the municipal corporation, these materials— waste. The India-shaped reservoir
including old truck and car parts, electric poles, pipes, iron aids rainwater harvesting, while
rods, household items, and other scrap pieces—were diverted Sanjeevani Van enhances air quality and
from scrapyards and landfills, helping to preserve the urban biodiversity.
environment. Additionally, construction debris was reused • Creates employment in construction,
to build retaining structures. The completed park, featuring maintenance, and hospitality sectors.
landscaping, gardens, and recreational activities, not only
provides a lush green space for families to enjoy but also • Generates revenue through ticket
sales, lease rentals, and advertisements,
generates revenue for the corporation, truly embodying the
ensuring self-sustainability.
concept of Waste to Wealth.

Integration with Circular Economy To know more

The reuse of 450 tonnes of scrap material aligns with circular Contact
economy principles, reducing landfill waste while promoting Abinash Sahoo
recycling. Its self-sustaining financial model—based on Senior Consultant
ticketing, lease rentals, and advertising revenue ensures PWD, Prayagraj Municipal Corporation
continued maintenance and further expansion. [Link]@[Link]

Replicability and Scalability

Shivalaya Park can be replicated in other cities due to

its sustainable design, revenue generation, and public
engagement. Developed under a PPP framework, it
ensures long-term financial and operational sustainability.
Additionally, the project fosters employment in various
sectors, contributing to local economic growth.

48
 Punjab’s Recyclable
Cafe: A Waste-to-Wonder
Business Model
Introduction

Waste transformation initiatives aim to promote sustainability

by converting discarded materials into valuable products.
Initiatives such as Waste to Wonder, Best Out of Waste,
and Recyclable Cafés were taken, to reflect the potential of
upcycling waste into artistic and functional items.
State/UT Punjab
Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Patiala
Activities Department/
Organisation Municipal Corporation Patiala
The initiatives engage with schools, artists, and NGOs in
repurposing waste into sculptures and functional products, Duration 2021-Ongoing
turning discarded materials into pieces of art or useful items.
The Recyclable Café in Model Town, is a prime example of
sustainable business integration, where waste management
is embedded into everyday consumer experiences. Impact
It also provide employment opportunities for artisans
and small businesses that specialise in upcycling waste.
Educational workshops and exhibitions further reinforce • Contributes to a reduction in landfill
the significance of recycling and sustainable consumption, waste, leading to lower waste
encouraging individuals to incorporate these practices into management costs and decreased
their lifestyles. environmental pollution.
• Drives behavioural change, foster
Integration with Circular Economy community participation, and create
employment in waste-based industries.
Instead of following the traditional “take-make-dispose” • Providing new revenue streams and job
model, these projects emphasise reuse, refurbishment, opportunities, particularly for small-
and recycling. Artistic upcycling reduces the need for raw scale artisans and self-help groups.
materials, And businesses such as Recyclable Cafés serve
as models for sustainable entrepreneurship, demonstrating
how commercial ventures can be both profitable and
environmentally responsible. To know more

Contact
Replicability and Scalability
Sh. Aditya Dachalwal, I.A.S
These initiatives can be replicated by encouraging public- Commissioner,
private partnerships, engaging artists and businesses, and Municipal Corporation Patiala
leveraging policy incentives. Scaling up requires investment cmc_patiala@[Link]
in upcycling infrastructure and increased awareness
campaigns.

49
 Sculpting a Sustainable
Future: The 3R Initiative
by Sabroom Nagar
Panchayat
Introduction

The Sabroom Nagar Panchayat has made progress in

promoting sustainable waste management by embracing the
State/UT Tripura
principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Through innovative
and community-driven efforts, various initiatives—including Urban Local Body Sabroom Nagar Panchayat
sculptures from old and unusable utensils, statues from old
Department/
plastic bottles, wrappers, and clothes, and a wall garden Organisation Sabroom Nagar Panchayat
using old plastic bottles as pots—have been implemented to
minimize waste, enhance environmental sustainability, and
raise awareness among the public about the importance
of responsible waste disposal. By turning waste materials
into useful and aesthetic structures, the Sabroom Nagar Impact
Panchayat aims to foster a culture of environmental
responsibility and resourcefulness.
• Reduces metal and plastic waste in the
Activities community.
• Beautifies public spaces, fostering
One of the notable projects involves repurposing old community pride and environmental
unusable utensils into artistic sculptures that beautify public stewardship.
spaces while encouraging recycling. Additionally, a striking
butterfly statue created from old plastic bottles, wrappers, • Raises public awareness about the
and clothes serves as a captivating representation of the importance of recycling and responsible
potential to transform waste materials into art, thereby waste disposal.
educating the community about the importance of upcycling.
• Encourages participation from local
Furthermore, a vertical garden has been developed using
artisans and residents, strengthening
repurposed plastic bottles as pots, which not only encourages
community bonds.
sustainable gardening practices but also optimizes space
utilization in urban areas. Together, these initiatives foster a
culture of environmental responsibility and creativity within To know more
the community.
Contact

Integration with Circular Economy Shibajyoti Dutta

EO,
The initiatives align with circular economy principles Sabroom Nagar Panchayat
by converting waste into valuable resources, reducing sabroomnagarpanchayat@[Link]
landfill usage, and promoting sustainable practices among
community members.

Replicability and Scalability

The initiatives can be replicated in other urban areas,

inspiring communities to adopt similar practices that promote
creativity and sustainability in waste management.

50
 WET WASTE
MANAGEMENT
Wet or organic waste constitutes a large proportion of our daily waste stream,
across industrial, commercial, and domestic spaces. Effective organic and wet waste
management is crucial for achieving a sustainable urban environment. Emphasis on
source segregation by using differently coloured bins for wet and dry waste (green and
blue respectively) has enabled improved waste management across states, even at the
household level. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE promotes
a lifestyle that protects the environment through individual actions. For organic and
wet waste, methods like composting are gaining prominence. Initiatives like the India
Organic Waste Management Programme (IOWMP) have successfully implemented
innovative biogas technologies to enhance waste management and energy production
in rural and urban areas. By integrating these practices into our daily lives and leveraging
government initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, India can effectively manage
organic waste, reduce environmental impacts, and foster a more sustainable future.

51
 Aizawl’s Home Compost:
An Economic Intervention
Introduction

The initiative promotes home composting, facilitates

the conversion of wet waste into nutrient-rich compost,
and integrates a waste-to-wealth approach. It seeks to
reduce landfill dependency and foster sustainable waste
management practices.

Activities State/UT Mizoram

The Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched a Urban Local Body Aizawl Municipal Corporation
comprehensive home composting campaign. By collaborating Department/
with various stakeholders it encourages residents to compost Organisation Aizawl Municipal Corporation
waste at home thereby minimizing the burden on municipal Duration 1 Year
waste collection systems. AMC has partnered with farmers to
repurpose specific types of organic waste to reduce organic
waste disposal challenges. They have closely worked with 85
LocalCouncils . After collection, the wet waste is shredded
fromlarger organic matter. The controlled decomposition Impact
using windrow composting techniques, ensures optimal
moisture levels and aeration for efficient breakdown. After the
compost is mature, it is screened to eliminate contaminants, • The initiative plays a significant role
packaged in standardized bags, and sold at the AMC office. in conserving resources by converting
AMC also regularly organises training sessions for residents, organic waste into a useful product.
farmers, and self-help groups (SHGs) to provide practical • This contributes to a reduction in
knowledge on composting techniques and sustainable waste greenhouse gas emissions, improving
management. A monitoring mechanism has been established air quality and lowering environmental
to ensure that the initiative remains on course and meets its pollution.
sustainability objectives. • The initiative fosters community
participation, creating awareness about
Integration with Circular Economy responsible waste management and
promoting environmentally friendly
By analysing waste material value, the project strengthens practices at the household level.
circular economy principles. This project reduces
environmental impact while generating economic benefits. By
promoting home composting, the initiative minimizes landfill
To know more
dependency and closes the waste loop. The composting
process not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but Contact
also enriches sustainable agriculture. Therefore, the project K. Vanlalruata
strengthens local economies while promoting long-term Deputy Municipal Commissioner,
environmental resilience. Aizawl Municipal Corporation
amcmizoram@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

The adaptable nature of this model makes it highly replicable

for various urban bodies. Cities can customize the program
based on their specific waste management needs by involving
community based organisations. Expanding the initiative’s
reach can substantially enhance community participation and
further strengthen sustainable waste management practices
across diverse scale.

52
 Wet Waste Management:
Srinagar’s Weed
Processing Plant
Introduction

The Dal and Nigeen lakes, covering 25.01 sq. km, form a
thriving ecosystem with around 50 species of plants and
animals. As a shallow, nutrient-rich water body, the lake
supports extensive aquatic plant growth. While vegetation State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
helps absorb pollutants, excessive weed growth, particularly
invasive species like lilies, poses environmental and aesthetic Urban Local Body Municipal Committee Srinagar
challenges. Department/
Organisation Municipal Committee Srinagar
Activities Duration 1 Years
Due to anthropogenic pressures, invasive weeds have spread
across the lake, which impacts water quality and navigation.
To manage this, both mechanical and manual interventions
have been ongoing for years to maintain the lake’s ecosystem Impact
and aesthetics. However, scientific disposal of harvested
weeds remained a concern. To address this, an MoU is signed
for the proper processing and disposal of lake weeds. This • Processing weeds reduces landfill waste
initiative ensures that weeds collected from the water bodies and minimizes pollution, improving
are processed in an environmentally sustainable manner. water quality and maintaining the lake’s
ecosystem.
Integration with Circular Economy • Converting weeds into bio-fertilizers
creates economic opportunities for
The plant is designed to not only remove pollutants but also farmers and entrepreneurs, generating
transform them into useful products. Harvested weeds are revenue and reducing dependency on
processed to create organic manure, turning waste into a chemical fertilizers.
valuable resource. This approach supports a sustainable • The initiative promotes local economic
waste management system by reintegrating biological waste development, creates jobs, and
into productive use. encourages sustainable agricultural
practices.
Replicability and Scalability

This model can be replicated in other urban local bodies where

water bodies are affected by invasive weeds. By adopting To know more
similar weed processing plants, municipalities can efficiently
manage aquatic vegetation while promoting environmental Contact

sustainability and economic benefits. Zahid Sajad, JKAS

Chief Executive Officer,
Municipal Committee Srinagar
eomckulgam@[Link]

53
 Waste to Compost:
Qazigund’s Sustainability
Journey
Introduction

The project aims to conserve resources and promote

environmental sustainability. The initiative focuses on
establishing an efficient waste management system by
promoting source segregation, composting organic waste, State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
and recycling non-biodegradable materials. Urban Local Body Municipal Committee Qazigund
Department/
Activities Organisation Municipal Committee Qazigund

Door-to-door waste collection ensures segregation at the Duration Since 2023

source, enabling proper disposal and processing. A Material
Recovery Facility (MRF) has been established to sort and
process recyclable materials efficiently. Organic waste is

Impact
converted into nutrient-rich fertilizer at composting units,
reducing landfill dependency. Community awareness
programs are actively conducted to educate the public
on circular economy principles. Additionally, the initiative
• The initiative encourages waste
collaborates with registered Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to
segregation, reducing overall waste
produce and distribute jute bags as a sustainable alternative
generation and preventing leachate
to plastic. contamination from unsegregated waste
dumping.
Integration with Circular Economy • Composting organic waste lowers the
carbon footprint and decreases reliance
The initiative contributes to a circular economy by ensuring
on landfills, promoting a sustainable
minimal waste generation and maximum resource recovery.
waste management system.
Dry waste is systematically sorted and sent for recycling
which reduces landfill waste. Used furniture and electronics
are repaired and then resold, promoting resource efficiency.
Organic waste is processed into high-quality fertilizer, To know more
benefiting local farmers by reducing dependence on chemical
Contact
fertilizers.
Mohammad Irfan Wani
Executive Officer,
Replicability and Scalability Municipal Committee Qazigund
This model can be implemented in other municipal eomcqazigund@[Link]
committees with proper planning and execution. This
initiative also leverages local resources and community
engagement. Strengthening partnerships with recycling
industries and organizations will enhance waste management
efficiency. Increased educational campaigns and community
participation will further reinforce sustainable practices and
ensure long-term success.

54
 Poultry Waste
Management: Kerala’s
Rendering Plants
Introduction

Kerala state has more than 16,000 poultry stalls where

approximately 18,00,000 poultry are slaughtered and sold
daily and it is estimated that about 1,080 TPD of poultry
waste is produced daily. To address this, the state introduced State/UT Kerala
a scientific approach to poultry waste management through Urban Local Body All ULBs Across Kerala
rendering plants under a public-private partnership (PPP)
model. These plants process poultry waste into valuable Haritha Kerala Mission, Suchitwa
Department/
products, ensuring sustainability and economic viability. The Organisation Mission, LSGD in association with
key stakeholders were Haritha Kerala Mission, Suchitwa private partners
Mission, Local Self Government Department (LSGD) in
Duration Since 2019
association with private partners.

Activities

Rendering plants have been established in partnership with Impact

private investors., along with District Level Facilitation and
Monitoring Committees (DLFMCs) to ensure compliance.
These plants process poultry waste, including feathers, by • Reduction in improper poultry waste
steaming and cooking it into a powdered form, which serves as disposal, mitigating pollution risks. This
will lead to decrease in landfill burden
a valuable raw material for fish and animal feed. Additionally, a
by diverting poultry waste to productive
maximum collection fee of ₹7 per kilogram is charged to make
use.
the service affordable and ensure widespread participation.
• The initiative ensures safe and hygienic
waste disposal, reducing health risks
Integration with Circular Economy in local communities. Creation of
Poultry and fish farming are major economic activities employment opportunities in waste
management and feed production
in Kerala, and the rising number of domesticated pets
sectors.
has increased the demand for animal feed. This initiative
efficiently connects poultry waste management with the • There are 39 operational rendering
animal and fish feed industry. By converting poultry waste plants with a total capacity of 898.25
into a useful feedstock for animal and fish feed, this initiative TPD effectively handling poultry waste.
The initiative provides a steady source of
reduces waste disposal issues while promoting resource
raw materials for the animal and fish feed
efficiency and sustainability.
industry, generating economic benefits.

Replicability and Scalability

The first rendering plant was set up experimentally in

To know more
Pappinissery, Kannur, in 2019, and after its success, the LSGD
issued detailed guidelines called “Guidelines For Licensing Contact
Poultry Meat Stalls and Poultry Waste Rendering Plants” Mr. Gokul Prasannan
in October 2021. This was done to facilitate expansion to PMU Kerala, IEC Expert-PMU
all Local Self Government Institutions (LSGIs). Since then, sanitationkerala@[Link]
39 rendering plants have been established across various
districts.

55
 Leaf to Life: Kota’s
Sustainable Composting
Initiative
Introduction

The Municipal Corporation of Kota (South) operates a Leaf

Compost Plant situated at Chambal Garden, designed to
efficiently process garden waste. This Leaf Composting Unit
initiative aims to utilize garden waste including leaves for
the production of vermi-compost, promoting sustainable
State/UT Rajasthan
waste management practices within the community. The key
Urban Local Body
Municipal Corporation Kota
stakeholders in this initiative are Municipal Corporation of (South)
Kota (South), farmers & residents of Kota City.
Department/ Local Self Government
Organisation Department
Activities
Duration Since August 2021
This facility boasts of a processing capacity of 10 tons per
day and has 12 leaf beds, each with a capacity of 19.14 cubic
meters with a leaf bed ripening time of 4 months. Additionally,
the plant includes a leaf culture pit with each leaf bed capable
of holding up to 9500 kg of leaves. After the ripening process, Impact
the compost produced achieves a density of 500 kg per cubic
meter, effectively transforming organic waste into valuable
vermi-compost for the community. • The project positively impacts the
environment by reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, such as CO2 and methane.
Integration with Circular Economy
• lThe compost produced is sold directly in the
The initiative supports the recycling of leaf waste generated market through the Municipal Corporation’s
from parks and gardens under the Municipal Corporation’s own shop, priced at INR 7 to INR 8 per kg.
jurisdiction, facilitating the production of valuable vermi-
compost.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

The Leaf Composting Unit can be replicated and scaled up by Contact
installing similar plants utilizing the same technology in major
Anurag Bhargava
cities across the state.
Municipal Commissioner,
Nagar Nigam Kota (South)
anuragbhargava2009@[Link]

56
 Wet Waste Innovation:
Jharkhand’s Sustainable
Waste Management
Introduction

The Jugsalai Nagar Parishad has launched a comprehensive

municipal solid waste management initiative covering an
area of 1.29 square kilometres with a dense population, the
program focuses on innovative wet waste recycling methods, State/UT Jharkhand
integrating circular economy principles to minimise landfill
dependency and optimize resource efficiency. Urban Local Body Jugsalai Nagar Parishad
Urban Development & Housing
Activities Department/ Government of Jharkhand
Organisation / Jugsalai Nagar Parishad,
The initiative promotes home composting with distributed
Jamshedpur
composters and biogas production through SHGs like Prerna
Mahila Samiti. Fruit waste is used for bio-enzyme toilet Duration
cleaners, while tea shops compost organic waste. Community
members upcycle materials into decor, and SHG artisans Impact
repurpose tree fruit seeds into toys.

• Reduces organic and inorganic waste

Integration with Circular Economy through composting, biogas production,
The initiative fosters waste minimisation, resource and upcycling.
• Prevents chemical runoff into
conservation, and upcycling, ensuring a closed-loop waste
water bodies, contributing to water
system. It transforms organic waste into compost and
conservation and pollution control.
biofuel, reducing landfill burden while repurposing non- • Encourages waste segregation and
biodegradable materials into useful products. Replacing resource recovery, limiting landfill
chemical cleaners with bio-enzyme alternatives, it prevents dependency.
water pollution and encourages sustainable consumer
habits. Cow dung is also repurposed for making incense • Women’s SHGs benefit from new
sticks (Agarbattis), diyas, and herbal phenyl, demonstrating entrepreneurial opportunities,
generating income from eco-friendly
effective waste utilisation across sectors.
product sales.
• Strengthens community participation
Replicability and Scalability in sustainability efforts through
educational outreach and awareness
The low-cost nature of home composting and biogas campaigns.
production makes it accessible for urban and semi-urban
areas. The model can be extended to other wards by training • Low-cost waste solutions reduce
SHGs in upcycling and sustainable production. municipal waste management expenses.
• Communities save on chemical cleaners
by adopting homemade bio-enzyme
products.

To know more
Contact

Raiendra Kumar
City Manager -cum- Nodal Officer (SBM),
Jugsalai Nagar Parishad, Jamshedpur
jugsalaimunicipality@[Link]

57
 On-site Waste
Composting: Jharkhand’s
Organic Waste
Management
Introduction

This onsite wet waste composting initiative reduces

dependency on centralized waste processing facilities and
eases landfill burdens by engaging residential societies
State/UT Jharkhand
(RWAs) in composting practices at their premises, promoting Urban Local Body Mango Nagar Nigam, Jamshedpur
sustainable waste management at the community level.
Department/ SBM department, Mango Nagar
Organisation Nigam, Mango
Activities

The initiative has been successfully implemented in multiple

residential societies that practice onsite composting,

Impact
reducing the volume of organic waste sent to landfills. The
compost produced is used in gardens and green spaces,
providing a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers. Regular
training sessions and awareness programs educate residents
• Diverts organic waste from landfills,
on proper waste segregation, composting techniques, and
significantly reducing methane emissions.
system maintenance. To support this transition, the municipal
• Enriches soil quality, supporting healthier
body provides composting kits and technical assistance, plants and green spaces.
ensuring seamless adoption and operation. • Promotes sustainable resource
management, reinforcing circular
Integration with Circular Economy economy principles.

This initiative fosters waste diversion, resource recovery, • Community engagement fosters
and environmental sustainability by transforming organic environmental awareness and collective
responsibility.
waste into compost. By replacing landfill disposal with
• Improved public health through better
localized composting solutions, the program reduces
waste management and reduced pollution.
methane emissions, enriches soil quality, and minimizes • Creates job opportunities in composting
municipal waste transportation costs. Partnerships with local system setup, training, and maintenance.
authorities and community groups ensure long-term viability,
while the reuse of compost in green spaces exemplifies • Reduces municipal expenses on waste
sustainable resource management. transportation and landfill management.
• Saves residents money by replacing
chemical fertilizers with compost.
Replicability and Scalability • Potential revenue generation from selling
compost for landscaping or agricultural
This onsite composting model can be replicated in other
use.
urban and semi-urban residential societies by adopting
a structured approach that includes training, supportive
infrastructure, and partnerships with local stakeholders. The To know more
scalability of this initiative is strengthened through municipal Contact
support, public-private partnerships, and digital platforms Dineshwar Yadav
for waste tracking. City Manager SBM,
Mango Municipal Corporation
mangonotifiedarea@[Link]

58
 City Farmers
Partnership Programme:
Chikkaballapura Tackles
Wet Waste

Introduction

The City-Farmer Partnership Programme was launched

State/UT Karnataka
in Chikkaballapura, through the combined efforts of the
Chikkaballapura City Municipal Council, Godrej Properties
Urban Local Body
Chikkaballapura City Municipal
Limited, and the Indian Institute of Human Settlements. Council
The programme facilitates a collaboraion between
Chikkaballapura’s civic administration and its local farmers Chikkaballapura City Municipal
to convert organic urban wet waste into valuable compost to Department/ Council, Godrej Properties
fertilise agricultural lands.
Organisation Limited, Indian Institute of
Human Settlements
Activities Duration Ongoing
Organic wet waste from Chikkabakkapura is segregated
and transported to the farmlands. The farmers have been
provided the necessary training required to help them
understand and implement the processes involved in
Impact
converting organic waste to nutrient-rich compost. This
empowers the farmers, as well as local Self-Help Groups that • Effective waste minimization
are involved in the programme, to implement scientific waste system, that additionally benefits the
management and introduce sustainable farming practices, environment through the production
that no longer require them to depend on harmful pesticides of nutrient-rich compost in a waste-to-
and chemical fertilizers. wealth model.
Chikkaballapura City Municipal Council has additionally • Encourages community collaboration,
established a resting and lounge centre to promote worker and connects the urban and rural
welfare and well-being. The workers can avail of sanitation sectors, that have additionally benefited
services, washing facilities, resting rooms, and an open-dining from trainings and capacity building
sessions on waste management, source
area.
segregation, and composting.
• So far, more than 750 tonnes of waste
Integration with Circular Economy
has been supplied to more than 100
The programme has been ideated and implemented with farmers across 17 Chikkaballapur
the tenets of a circular economy in mind. The segregated villages. The compost produced through
these processes is distributed at no
organic wet waste is converted into compost that is fed into
cost to encourage the farmers to adopt
the farmlands and used as natural fertilizers. This creates a
sustainable agriculture practices.
circular economy through the repurposing of waste into a
biodegradable output that is beneficial for overall land health
and productivity.
To know more

Replicability and Scalability Contact

Venkataravana Reddy
This programme is replicable in other cities across the State Mission Director, Joint Director-SBM
country, where Urban Local Bodies can form connections Swmcelldma@[Link]
between the urban and rural sectors, and impart training to
farmers and other civic sanitation workers.
59
 Mo Khata’: Odisha Tackles
Organic Waste
Introduction

Odisha’s “Mo Khata” (My Compost) programme launched by

the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha,
is a dedicated step towards enhanced and sustainable
municipal solid waste management. Prior to this strategic
civic intervention, unsegregated domestic and industrial
waste materials were often dumped onto any available State/UT Odisha
open space of land, creating informal, unmanaged and
environmentally toxic dumpsites across the state. “Mo Khata” Urban Local Body All (state-wide initiative)
is Odisha’s waste-to-wealth, community-driven success story
Department/ Housing and Urban Development
which follows a zero landfill approach, by promoting end-to- Organisation Department, Odisha
end waste management from the point of its collection to
compost. Duration Since 2020

Activities

Detailed standard operating procedures and guidelines were Impact

developed to create a sustainable framework for targeted and
streamlined municipal solid waste management in the city.
• The creation and successful distribution
260 Micro-Composting Centres (MCCs) and 220 Material of compost within the resource recovery
Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for the processing of wet and dry model has greatly benefitted local
waste respectively were established across urban Odisha. ecosystems across the state of Odisha,
The compost manufactured at the MCCs by segregating and enabling civic authorities to tackle the
processing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste was city’s waste more efficiently and with
sold as “Mo Khata” at an extremely nominal price. greater public cooperation.
• The reduction of open dumping of waste
Integration with Circular Economy has greatly improved public health and
sanitation across Odisha, preventing
Odisha’s “Mo Khata” is a waste-to-wealth scheme that the spread of harmful diseases such as
follows the principles of circular economy by ensuring waste diarrhea, cholera, and dengue, which are
minimization through its diversion away from landfills and often precipitated by inadequate waste
incinerators to the MCCs. This has greatly reduced the management.
emission of harmful toxins and greenhouse gases that are • This initiative has further reduced the
detrimental to environmental health. The compost produced amount of waste that is being sent to
is an organic, toxin-free, natural fertilizer that helps to boost landfills due to its promotion of the end-
to-end processing of waste.
soil health and productivity, effectively giving back to the
environment. • By December 2024, 12,601 tonnes
of “Mo Khata” had been produced. Its
Replicability and Scalability subsequent sale has accumulated a total
revenue of INR 10.84 crores.
Odisha’s decentralised waste-to-wealth model is simple,
robust, and easy to replicate across urban India. Ensuring
community cooperation and active participation, as well as To know more
involving local self-help groups can streamline and entrench Contact
these processes within the larger waste management
Sri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS
systems already in place. This model can also be scaled across
Special Secretary to Government and State Mission
peri-urban and rural areas.
Director, SBM (Urban), Odisha
sanitationhud@[Link]

60
 Worms at Work: Assam
Tackles Waste Through
Vermicomposting

Introduction

The Mulagabhoru Area Level Federation (ALF) under

the Assam State Urban Livelihoods Mission (ASULMS) in
Sivasagar, Assam, has pioneered a transformative initiative,
aimed to address multiple challenges, including waste
State/UT Assam
disposal and livelihood generation for women SHG members. Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Ambikapur
By turning organic waste into valuable vermicompost, the
initiative not only promotes a circular economy but also Assam State Urban Livelihoods
Department/
creates economic opportunities for the local community. Organisation Mission under Department of
Housing & Urban Affairs,
Activities Duration Since 2019
The ALF undertook door-to-door garbage collection,
segregation of waste at the source, and raised awareness

Impact
on hygiene, plastic waste reduction, and composting. Their
efforts in Ward No. 10 of Sivasagar Municipal Board have led
to a shift in public behavior regarding waste segregation and
home composting. The ALF signed an MoU with the Sivasagar • The project aids in waste minimisation,
Municipal Board to formalize garbage collection, covering greenhouse gas reduction, and soil
around 1,000 households. They launched a ‘Vermicompost health improvement. The initiative’s
Project’ in 2019, supported by Sivasagar Municipal Board, recognition through a nomination for the
NULM, and SBM(U), which produces 360 quintals of National Level ‘Swachhata Excellence
vermicompost annually, generating ` 9,00,000 in revenue. Award-2019-20’ underscores its success.
• The project has enhanced the status of
women in the community, offering them
Integration with Circular Economy
leadership roles and a steady income
Vermicomposting is a quintessential circular economy stream.
practice as it converts organic waste into nutrient-rich • SHG members earn income through the
fertiliser, reducing landfill waste and promoting resource sale of vermicompost and additional
efficiency. The ALF’s initiative ensures organic waste products like vermicompost tea.
recycling, reuses waste for composting, and produces a
value-added product that supports sustainable agriculture.
The establishment of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
To know more
for segregation further emphasises waste minimisation and
resource recovery. Contact

Juri Changmai (Secretary, Mulagabhoru ALF)

Replicability and Scalability DAY-NULM, Deptt HoUA, Govt of Assam, Secretary,
Mulagabhoru ALF,
The vermicomposting model is highly replicable in both urban DAY-NULM Sibsagar ULB
and rural settings. Its scalability lies in training SHG members, [Link]@[Link]
establishing infrastructure, and fostering partnerships with
governmental and private entities. With support for branding,
marketing, and a strong policy framework, the initiative can
be scaled up to larger operations.

61
 Turning Waste into
Silicone-Rich Granules:
The Dewas Way
Introduction

The Wet Waste Project aims to establish a sustainable waste

management system by converting organic wet waste into
high-quality granulated manure. This initiative focuses on
reducing landfill dependency through efficient biodegradable State/UT Madhya Pradesh
waste processing while enhancing soil health with eco-
friendly organic fertilizer.
Urban Local Body Dewas Municipal Corporation
Department/
Organisation Dewas Municipal Corporation
Activities
Duration Since 2023
The formation of silicon-rich green waste granules involves
a structured process of collection, treatment, enrichment,
and granulation. Biodegradable waste such as plant residues, Impact
agro-waste, and husks is collected and sorted to remove
non-biodegradable materials. The waste is then shredded,
Impact
moisture-adjusted, and inoculated with microorganisms
to accelerate decomposition through controlled aerobic • Diverts organic waste from landfills,
composting. Silicon enrichment follows, where silica-rich reducing land consumption and
materials like rice husk ash and mineral fortifiers are added. preventing groundwater contamination.
The composted material is then granulated using natural • Minimizes air pollution by reducing the
binders, pelletized, and dried. The final product undergoes open burning of organic waste.
quality testing before being packaged for distribution.
• Reduced methane emissions from
decomposing waste and enhances
Integration with Circular Economy carbon sequestration through organic
fertilizers.
The recycling of wet waste into granulated manure
exemplifies circular economy principles by transforming • Improves soil fertility and microbial
activity, promoting long-term soil health
organic waste into a high-value agricultural resource.
by strengthening crops with silica
Unlike regular compost, this enriched manure enhances soil
enrichment, reducing dependence on
health and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, creating synthetic fertilizers.
a sustainable waste-to-wealth model. By closing the loop
in waste management, it minimizes landfill dependency,
promotes resource efficiency, and supports a greener
economy. To know more
Contact
Replicability and Scalability Mr. Shailesh Paliwal
Director
The Granules (Manure) from Wet Waste Project has
Greencrop Biocam and fertilizer
replicability and scalability potential, from community-based
greencropbioindore@[Link]
small units to large industrial-scale production. With the
right technology, policy support, and market alignment, it can
become a key solution for sustainable waste management
and organic farming worldwide.

62
 DECENTRALISED
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Decentralised waste management is emerging as a transformative approach in
urban and rural India, empowering communities to take charge of their waste at the
source and entrenching efficient and streamlined waste management. To combat
the issues raised by having an insufficient number of sanitation staff, inadequate
infrastructure, and imprecise segregation, decentralised systems can be put in
place to improve services. Localized waste management systems, composting, and
recycling initiatives led by municipalities, Self-Help Groups, and entrepreneurs
are reducing landfill dependency and promoting local responsibility. With growing
awareness and government initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and
Mission LiFE, communities across India are actively contributing to sustainable and
eco-friendly waste management practices. This holistic approach not only mitigates
waste at its origin but also drives collective responsibility and behavioural change,
paving the way for a cleaner, greener future.

63
 Keeping Lucknow Clean:
The Impact of Door-to-
Door Waste Collection &
Recycling
Introduction

Municipal solid waste management is a critical challenge

due to rapid urbanization and unplanned development. State/UT Uttar Pradesh
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with
Lucknow Swachchata Abhiyan (LSA), has implemented Urban Local Body Lucknow Municipal Corporation
an efficient waste collection and transportation system. Environment Division, Lucknow
Department/
This initiative spans five zones, covering 77 wards, 5 lakh Organisation Municipal Corporation
households, and benefiting 27 lakh citizens, ensuring proper
waste disposal and reducing environmental hazards. Duration 12 Months

Activities

The initiative includes door-to-door collection of segregated Impact

Impact
waste from households, commercial establishments, and
institutions. Infrastructure development includes the
design and operation of Primary Collection & Transfer • Reduced landfill dependency, lower
Stations (PCTS), Fixed Compactor Transfer Points (FCTPs), carbon emissions from electric and CNG-
and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). Secondary powered vehicles, and improved air and
transportation ensures separate wet and dry waste soil quality.
movement to processing sites. Street cleaning is conducted • Improved public health through proper
through manual and mechanical sweeping. Special waste waste disposal, enhanced urban
collection ensures proper disposal of horticultural and aesthetics, and increased community
domestic hazardous waste. Additionally, a user charge participation in sustainable waste
collection system, a public awareness campaign, and a 24/7 practices.
grievance redressal system have been established to enhance
• Employment generation for more than
operational efficiency. 2800 individuals, economic benefits
from recycling and composting, and cost
Integration with Circular Economy efficiency for the municipal corporation.

Recycling initiatives improve sorting and processing, ensuring

recovered materials are reintroduced into the supply chain.
Composting organic waste enhances soil health, while To know more
waste-to-energy solutions reduce landfill dependency. The
Contact
initiative also reduces air pollution, conserves resources, and
minimizes environmental hazards associated with improper Anupam Mishra
waste disposal. Project Head,
Lucknow Swachchata Abhiyan
[Link]@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

The initiative follows a structured Management and

Implementation Operational Plan (MIOP), enabling
quick replication in other cities. The project’s high-level
structure covers waste collection, transportation, manpower
deployment, technology integration, and performance tracking.

64
 Zero Waste, Maximum
Impact: Decentralized
Waste Processing for a
Greener Jaipur
Introduction

The Decentralized Waste Processing and Zero Waste Project

aims to establish a decentralized waste processing facility at
State/UT Rajasthan
the directorate level, promoting a zero-waste status for the
building. A comprehensive survey was conducted to estimate Urban Local Body Directorate of Local Bodies Jaipur
waste generation, leading to the implementation of facilities
Department/
for wet waste processing and recyclable recovery. Organisation Directorate of Local Bodies Jaipur

Duration Since 2020

Activities

The decentralized waste processing approach effectively

alleviates the burden on the collection and transportation of
municipal solid waste, resulting in savings of approximately Impact
INR 1700-1800 per ton in collection charges. This method
facilitates improved source segregation, as the smaller volume
of waste handled enhances overall efficiency. The finished • The initiative positively impacts the
products, such as compost, can be utilized in city gardens, environment by reducing greenhouse
while recyclables are easily mobilized to local recyclers. As a gas emissions, promoting resource
result, overall processing costs are reduced, and the load on conservation, minimizing waste, and
enhancing the recycling of materials.
centralized waste processing plants is minimized, promoting
a more sustainable waste management system.

To know more
Integration with Circular Economy
Contact
The Project supports the circular economy by promoting Deepak Singhal
effective waste segregation and resource recovery, enabling Executive Engineer,
the conversion of waste into valuable products like compost. DLB Jaipur
This initiative reduces landfill dependency and encourages cedlbjp@[Link]
recycling, thereby enhancing resource efficiency and
sustainability within the community.

Replicability and Scalability

The Project holds a potential for replication across all

government buildings in Rajasthan. The scalability of the
project is evident in its various waste processing capacities,
which can accommodate different levels of waste generation.
For instance, facilities can be established with capacities
ranging from 100 kg/day, requiring a capital expenditure
(Capex) of INR 10,00,000 and yearly operational expenditure
(Opex) of INR 1,80,000, to larger facilities processing 5000
kg/day, which would entail a Capex of INR 75,00,000 and
Opex of INR 7,20,000. This flexibility allows for tailored
implementations based on specific needs and capacities of
different government buildings.

65
 Waste-free Communities:
How Navi Mumbai’s
Transforming Slums
Introduction

Recognising the challenges of waste management in informal

settlements, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation
(NMMC) launched the Zero Waste Slum Model. The
initiative integrates circular economy principles, empowering State/UT Maharashtra
marginalised waste workers and improving urban sanitation.
Urban Local Body
Navi Mumbai Municipal
Corporation (NMMC)
Activities
Department/ Solid Waste Management
The initiative commenced in April 2019 in Indira Nagar and Organisation Department
Adavali Gaon and later expanded to Hanuman Nagar and
other slum areas. Initial challenges in waste segregation were Duration Since 2019
addressed through partnerships with Stree Mukti Sangathan,
an NGO promoting waste worker empowerment. The model
operates through a door-to-door collection system, ensuring
household waste segregation using twin-bin systems. Impact
Dry waste is sorted and recycled through collaborations
with private firms. Currently operational in five locations, the • It diverts 54 metric tons of waste from
initiative is set to expand to nine. With an 80 percent waste landfills each month, reducing pollution
diversion rate achieved in the first month, the initiative has and greenhouse gas emissions.
significantly reduced the volume of waste sent to landfills. Rag
• The model has created dignified
pickers now earn stable incomes through structured waste employment opportunities for rag
collection and recycling activities. The stakeholders involved pickers and SHG members, particularly
in the initiatives include Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation women, enhancing their livelihoods and
(NMMC), Stree Mukti Sangathan, Parisar Bhagini: Self-help financial independence. By ensuring
Groups (SHGs), Bisleri and residents of slums. clean surroundings, the initiative has also
contributed to improved public health in
slum communities.
Integration with Circular Economy
• The decentralised approach has cut
The Zero Waste Slum Model transforms waste into valuable waste collection and transportation costs
resources, reducing landfill burden. Dry waste such as by 51 percent. The initiative has saved
plastics, paper, and metals is sorted and sold to recyclers, INR 40,23,00,000 annually across five
with corporate partnerships (e.g., Bisleri) supporting plastic locations, with further projected savings.
repurposing. Organic waste is composted and sold for
agricultural use, creating an additional revenue stream.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact
Cities can adopt similar systems by setting up decentralised Dr. Kailas Shinde
composting units, forging NGO partnerships, and launching Commissioner,
awareness campaigns. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation
commissioner@[Link]

66
 A Resource in Disguise:
Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur’s
Circular Economy Insights
Introduction

The Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur has undertaken an initiative

which aims to minimise waste, maximise resource recovery,
and address environmental challenges through inclusive and
innovative practices. Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur led the project, State/UT Uttar Pradesh
working closely with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and informal
sector workers. Startups and private partners have been Urban Local Body Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur
engaged through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models
Department/ Directorate of Urban Local
for technological integration and operational efficiency. Organisation Bodies, Uttar Pradesh

Activities Duration Since 2024

A 100 percent door-to-door waste collection and improved

source segregation from 50 percent to 75 percent has been
established. Five MRFs (190 TPD) and a 50 TPD construction Impact
Impact
and demolition (C&D) waste plant handle dry waste, while
organic waste is processed through pit composting (155
TPD) and vermicomposting (30 TPD). An animal crematorium • Efficient water reuse reduces reliance on
ensures safe disposal, with future plans for a 300 TPD freshwater sources.
bio-methanation plant and a 500 TPD waste-to-charcoal
• Diverted significant amounts of solid and
plant. IEC campaigns promote plastic waste reduction and liquid waste from landfills and natural
sustainability. Three STPs (60 MLD) treat wastewater for water bodies.
reuse in irrigation, landscaping, and non-potable applications,
• Lowered greenhouse gas emissions
reducing discharge. At Moti Pokhara Lake, nanobubble,
through advanced waste processing and
ultrasound technologies, and Nature-Based Solutions aid
legacy waste remediation.
water restoration.
• Strengthened livelihoods by integrating
SHGs and informal workers into the
Integration with Circular Economy
waste management system.
Dry waste and C&D waste are being recycled and repurposed • Improved market linkages for waste
for secondary applications such as road construction. byproducts enhanced economic viability.
Organic waste is processed through composting, creating
valuable byproducts. Innovative upcycling practices have
been introduced, including the production of jewellery from
To know more
wild grass and crockery from coconut shells, adding economic
value to waste materials. Additionally, treated liquid waste Contact
is being reused in irrigation, landscaping, and industrial Gaurav Singh Sogarwal (IAS)
applications. Municipal Commissioner,
Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur
Replicability and Scalability nagarnigamgorakhpur@[Link]

This initiative presents a structured and adaptable model

that can be replicated in other municipal corporations. The
involvement of various stakeholders, strong community
engagement, and financial viability make it a sustainable and
practical approach for other urban areas.

67
 Door-to-Door Initiative:
Riding Towards Pushkar’s
Cleanliness
Introduction

The Nagar Parishad Pushkar has implemented the Door-

to-Door (D2D) Collection initiative to improve waste
management in the area. This approach focuses on achieving
100 percent garbage collection to ensure a cleaner and more State/UT Rajasthan
sustainable environment. A key stakeholders in this initiative
Urban Local Body Nagar Parishad Pushkar
is Udaan India Foundation.
Department/
Organisation Nagar Parishad Pushkar
Activities
Duration Since 2024
The Nagar Parishad Pushkar has introduced a motorcycle
rickshaw specifically designed for garbage collection in small
and narrow streets, significantly enhancing accessibility for
waste management in hard-to-reach areas. This motorcycle Impact
is equipped with two separate boxes to collect wet and dry
waste.
• The initiative positively impacts the lives
Integration with Circular Economy of the Rickshaw Drivers, providing them
with an opportunity to improve their
The D2D Collection facilitates effective waste segregation livelihood.
and collection at the source and promotes environmentally
friendly disposal practices.
To know more

Replicability and Scalability Contact

Lokendra Singh
The D2D Collection initiative is a practice that demonstrates Sanitary Inspector,
effective waste management strategies, making it suitable Nagar Parishad Pushkar
for replication in other urban high density areas with narrow [Link]@[Link]
streets.

68
 PLASTIC WASTE
MANAGEMENT
A persistent global problem, plastic waste and, subsequently, plastic pollution
have infiltrated our environment, altering ecosystems, invading natural habitats,
disrupting the food supply chain, and harming human and animal health. Often
dumped along roadsides or into waterbodies such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and
oceans, the menace of single-use plastics (SUPs) like plastic cups, straws, plates,
and packets has greatly exacerbated this crisis. While plastic is an environmental
problem, it is also deeply ingrained into our society every day through direct or
indirect use. Providing renewable alternatives while also raising public awareness
and accessibility to the same remains a crucial part of the redressal process. India
has been hard at work to tackle this pervasive challenge by finding sustainable and
biodegradable alternatives to SUPs. States are on track to create environmentally
conscious, responsible, and responsive consumers that endeavour to switch from
SUPs to renewable alternatives like cloth bags. Pockets of SUP-free zones have
successfully been created all over the country, within educational institutions,
markets, green zones, and so on.

69
 Eco-Friendly Festival
Celebrations: Andaman
& Nicobar’s Plastic And
Waste Reduction Method
Introduction

The initiative aims to promote sustainable practices during

Puja Festival celebrations by minimising waste generation
and encouraging the use of eco-friendly materials. A key focus State/UT Andaman & Nicobar Islands
is reducing single-use plastics and raising public awareness
Urban Local Body
Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal
about environmental protection during cultural events,
Council (SVPMC)
ensuring that traditions and sustainability go hand in hand.
Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal
Department/
Activities Organisation Council (Formerly Port Blair
Municipal Council)
Festival events were organised with sustainable décor
and eco-friendly materials, replacing conventional non-
Duration Ongoing
biodegradable decorations. Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) or guidelines for waste minimisation and segregation
were implemented, ensuring responsible waste disposal
throughout the festival.
Impact
Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives
were conducted to inform attendees about the benefits of
reducing plastic use and managing waste effectively. Strong • The initiative contributed to a cleaner
collaborations with local vendors, community groups, and and more sustainable environment by
environmental organisations played a crucial role in managing reducing overall waste generation during
the festival.
festival waste efficiently and promoting sustainable practices.
• The improved waste management
strategies led to better environmental
Integration with Circular Economy quality, while enhanced recycling efforts
and helped divert waste from landfills.
The initiative integrates the principles of the circular economy
by ensuring the reuse or recycling of festival materials, and • It also fostered greater community
converting leftover waste into compost and other value- engagement, encouraging individuals to
added products. adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily
lives.
Replicability and Scalability

This initiative can be adapted for other festivals and To know more
cultural events across the country at various scales, making
sustainability a key consideration in large public gatherings. Contact
With increased participation from vendors, community P Umamaheswara Rao
groups, and local authorities, the initiative can be further Junior Engineer,
expanded by integrating it with broader municipal waste Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council,
management programs, ensuring long-term impact and uma.rao1679@[Link]
scalability.

70
 Andaman & Nicobar’s
Plastic Waste Reduction:
A Milk Pouch Buy-Back
Scheme
Introduction

To address the growing plastic waste problem, an initiative

was launched to encourage the return of used plastic milk
State/UT Andaman & Nicobar Islands
pouches. The initiative encouraged waste disposal and Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal
Urban Local Body
recycling through a buy-back mechanism, offering consumers Council (SVPMC)
incentives to return used pouches. By transforming waste
into a valuable resource, the initiative sought to create a Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal
Department/
sustainable model for plastic waste management. Organisation Council (Formerly Port Blair
Municipal Council)
Activities Duration Ongoing
In collaboration with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Integrated Development Corporation Organisation
(ANIIDCO), and the South Andaman District’s SVPMC a
system was introduced where used ANIIDCO milk pouches Impact
could be returned for incentives. Designated collection
points were established, making it easier for consumers to
participate. • The initiative significantly reduced plastic
In return consumers were offered rewards such as fresh waste, easing the burden on landfills and
mitigating environmental hazards.
milk or discounts on future purchases. Public awareness
campaigns were launched to educate residents about the • Additionally, community participation
environmental benefits of recycling and responsible waste was strengthened, fostering long-term
environmental consciousness and
disposal, reinforcing a culture of sustainability.
encouraging sustainable practices at the
grassroots level.
Integration with Circular Economy • By creating a structured buy-back
system, it generated revenue from the
The scheme transformed waste into a valuable resource
sale of recycled materials while offering
by reintegrating used plastic milk pouches into the economic incentives for responsible waste
manufacturing cycle, thereby ensuring circularity. This management.
approach reduced the demand for virgin plastic, minimised
environmental pollution, and demonstrated the economic
benefits of recycling.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

This model has potential for replication in other regions P Umamaheswara Rao,
facing similar waste management challenges. It can also Junior Engineer,
be adapted to include different types of plastic waste, such Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council
as food packaging or beverage containers. It can be scaled uma.rao1679@[Link]
at different levels through additional collection points,
integrating digital tracking systems for better monitoring,
and partnering with more recycling facilities to maximise its
environmental and economic impact.

71
 Effective Plastic
Waste Management:
Baramulla’s Story
Introduction

Facing challenges in managing plastic waste such as

polythene bags often littered across the city, clogging
drains and polluting River Jhelum, the Municipal Council
Baramulla decided that it was high time to stage an important
intervention. The improper disposal of plastic waste has State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
contributed to environmental pollution, making effective
waste management solutions crucial for the town. In Urban Local Body Municipal Council Baramulla
collaboration with Yuva Chinar (a youth-based organization), Department/
therefore, Baramulla kickstarted the launch of sustainable Organisation Municipal Council Baramulla
circular solutions to tackle plastic waste.
Duration Ongoing

Activities

Intending to create a circular economy by recycling plastic

waste into useful products, thereby reducing environmental Impact
pollution and promoting sustainable practices, the initiative saw
the community, especially the youth, come together to active-
ly partake and do their bit in helping their neighbourhoods. • Minimizing the amount of plastic waste
sent to landfills and incinerators.
Plastic was directly collected from households and shops.
The Municipal Council Baramulla and Yuva Chinar worked • Preventing the accumulation of plastic in
together to encourage residents and shopkeepers to hand drains, roads, sewers, and waterbodies,
over their plastic waste, particularly polythene bags. The effectively reducing land and water
collected plastic was handed over to the Yuva Chinar pollution.
processing unit, where it was recycled and repurposed into • Increased community awareness and
various products such as carry bags, laptop bags, file covers, participation in waste segregation,
and bottle covers. Over six months, approximately 568 kg of collection and recycling.
plastic waste was successfully collected and processed in the • Revenue generation through the sale of
aforementioned unit. recycled goods.

Integration with Circular Economy

The Municipal Council Baramulla and Yuva Chinar have To know more
successfully implemented circular economy principles within
Contact
their plastic waste management apparatus by ensuring that
the waste collected is recycled and repurposed to give it a Naveed Ajaz Khan
longer shelf-life. CEO,
Municipal Council Baramulla
navidaijaz@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability
eomcbaramulla@[Link]
A simple yet strategic and highly impactful initiative, effective
plastic waste management with a focus on recycling and
revenue generation can be launched across cities in India.
Within Baramulla, to scale this initiative, other industries and
bulk waste-generating units could be included in the scheme
and encouraged to donate their plastic waste for further
processing and recycling.

72
 Closing the Loop:
Implementing Circular
Economy Best Practices
in Aibawk
Introduction

The Aibawk Plastic Waste Management Unit, implemented

under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), is a pioneering
State/UT Mizoram
initiative aimed at tackling plastic waste in rural areas.
Covering 20 villages, the project focuses on the collection, Urban Local Body Aibawk
segregation, and safe disposal of plastic waste, ensuring
environmental sustainability and public health protection. Department/ Public Health Engineering Dept,
Operated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model
Organisation Govt of Mizoram
with Waste Tech & Bio-energy, the initiative integrates circular Duration Since 2023
economy principles to maximize recycling and minimize waste.

Activities

The unit is equipped with shredding, baling, and conveyor belt

machines to efficiently process plastic waste. Waste collection Impact
is conducted weekly, with designated vehicles picking up
plastic from each household. Households contribute INR
• Reduces plastic waste in rural areas,
50 as sanitation fee to support operations. The unit employs
prevents littering, and ensures safe
nine staff members, including a manager, drivers and waste
disposal and recycling, mitigating
collectors. The collected recyclable plastics are segregated environmental hazards.
and sold to scrap dealers, generating revenue for the unit.
• The project creates employment for
local workers, enhancing community
Integration with Circular Economy participation in waste management.
The initiative incorporates circular economy practices by • Monthly expenses amount to INR
recycling, reusing, and refurbishing plastic waste. Collected 1,96,500, with a net profit of INR 26,850
plastics are processed and sold at varying rates, with PET from plastic bale sales.
bottles at INR 10/kg, HDPE bottles at INR 25/kg, and metal
cans at INR 20/kg. The unit produces 15-20 bales per day
and sells 50-55 bales per trip, generating monthly revenue
of INR 10,000 - 15,000. This model promotes waste-to-value To know more
strategies and creates a self-sustaining waste management Contact
system that reduces environmental pollution.
H. Lalbiakhlua
Public Health Engineering Department
Replicability and Scalability [Link]@[Link]
mabiakahmar@[Link]
The Aibawk model is replicable, particularly in rural areas
where plastic waste management is a challenge. With PPP
model, policy support and greater community participation,
this cost-effective and revenue-generating model can be
adapted in other regions to promote sustainable waste
management.

73
 Plastic Waste Management
in Char Dham: A Digital
Deposit Refund System

Introduction

The Digital Deposit Refund System (dDRS) was introduced

in Kedarnath in May 2022 to address plastic waste pollution
in the Char Dham region. The initiative aims to encourage
responsible waste disposal through financial incentives,
State/UT Uttarakhand
promoting behavioral change among pilgrims. Using a QR- Urban Local Body Nagar Panchayat Kedarnath
based deposit refund mechanism, plastic bottles and multi-
layered plastics (MLPs) are collected and recycled, ensuring Urban Development Department,
Department/
better waste management and environmental conservation. Organisation in collaboration with Recykal &
Key stakeholders involved are Government authorities at District Administrations
district, Recykal, Retailers and HoReCa Establishments Duration Since May 2022
(hotels, restaurants, local shops); pilgrims and tourists;
collection agencies; and local mule transporters (pithuwalas).
Impact
Activities
Impact
The initiative involves shop registration and QR code
distribution to track plastic packaging. A refundable INR 10
• 20,00,000 plastic bottles are collected
deposit is applied to plastic bottles and MLPs, encouraging
and recycled across the Char Dham.
consumers to return used packaging at designated collection • 66 metric tons of CO2 emissions were
points or Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). Waste is prevented.
systematically collected and transported to Material
Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and recycled. Awareness • Enhanced stakeholder engagement in
campaigns, stakeholder consultations, and legal interventions waste management.
• 21 percent increase in proper waste
have strengthened implementation.
disposal practices.
• 300 percent rise in plastic bottle
Integration with Circular Economy collection in Kedarnath.

The initiative applies circular economy principles by recycling • More than 110 jobs were created for
plastic waste, engaging retailers in packaging collection, and local waste workers and collectors.
maximizing resource recovery. • INR 3,14,000 revenue increase for
retailers.
• 37.5 percent rise in earnings for the
Replicability and Scalability informal waste sector.
• Government savings of INR 3,73,00,000
The initiative has been expanded to Gangotri, Yamunotri,
in waste collection costs.
and Badrinath. Further scalability is possible through
integration with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
programs, leveraging QR-based tracking and AI-powered
IoT for seamless adaptation in various geographic regions. To know more
The model can be replicated in other pilgrimage sites, eco- Contact
sensitive zones, and high-tourism urban areas.
Vinod Kumar
Assistant Director,
Urban Development Department
directorudd@[Link]

74
 Haryana’s Vending
Machines: Combatting
Plastic Waste
Introduction

Non-biodegradable single-use plastics (SUPs) such as

polythene bags have become a public menace, clogging
pipes and drains, contaminating roadsides and waterbodies.
Their production and eventual disposal are both greenhouse State/UT Haryana
gas emitting procedures. Further, microplastics that are
discarded in rivers and oceans may be ingested by marine Urban Local Body
Municipal Corporation of
animals and make their way into the food chain, harming Panchkula
human health. To tackle the proliferating problem of SUPs, Department/ Municipal Corporation of
the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula in Haryana has been Organisation Panchkula
promoting the use of SUP alternatives, such as biodegradable
bags by making them increasingly accessible to obtain by the Duration 1 year
general public.

Activities

The Municipal Corporation of Panchkula has set up vending Impact

machines in key bulk-waste generating marketplaces from
where customers can avail their very own biodegradable
• Minimizes the amount of waste created
bags at a nominal price. The municipal corporation has also
through the continuous use of SUPs.
been actively encouraging market traders and shopkeepers
to cease using SUP packages and bags, vying to create SUP- • Minimizes the amount of plastic waste
sent to landfills.
free pockets within the city limits. Biodegradable alternatives,
such as cloth bags, have been promoted extensively in the • Encourages social responsibility and
awareness about the benefits of making
hopes to extend the use of environmentally friendly bags,
sustainable and environmentally
wrapping, and containers, especially within the retail sector.
conscious decisions within everyday life.

Integration with Circular Economy

The use of biodegradable containers, bags, or wrapping that

have more than a single use feeds into the basic principles of To know more
circularity.
Contact

Sachin Dhiman
Replicability and Scalability
Junior Engineer,
While the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula has plans to Municipal Corporation Panchkula,
scale this initiative within the city by targeting tourist spots mcpanchkula@[Link]
and big retail stores, other cities may also benefit from
this self-sufficient waste management module. Vending
machines can be set up in malls, marketplaces, industrial
areas, places of business, within public transport stations,
educational institutions, and so on. This will help the project
create awareness about SUPs, why they are harmful to the
environment, and what alternatives to the same are available
to the general public.

75
 Bagging a Greener Future:
Kamalpur’s Eco-Friendly
Alternative to Plastic
Introduction

Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat has taken a significant

step towards environmental sustainability by adopting
compostable bags made from eco-friendly materials. These
bags serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional single-
use plastics, aiming to reduce plastic pollution while promoting
State/UT Tripura
biodegradable solutions. The Panchayat ensures the quality Urban Local Body Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat
and environmental sustainability of these compostable bags
Department/
through rigorous testing and certification by CIPET, meeting Organisation Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat
essential compostability and biodegradability standards. The
bags are competitively priced at INR 145 per kilogram for
wholesale and INR 160 per kilogram for retail, making them
accessible while promoting sustainable waste management
practices.
Impact
Activities
• Compostable bags decompose naturally
The Panchayat has introduced compostable bags made from within 180 days under composting
PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), a biodegradable conditions. This is significantly
polymer derived from renewable resources, which is fasterfaster than conventional plastics,
flexible and durable. The production process employs a which can take hundreds of years to
chemical-free manufacturing approach, ensuring that the break down.
bags are environmentally safe. To achieve high quality and • The decomposition process does not
durability, advanced machinery, including extruders and release harmful chemicals, in contrast to
sealing machines, is utilized in the manufacturing process. plastics, which can emit toxic substances
Additionally, the initiative actively engages with local into the environment.
communities to promote the adoption of compostable bags • PBAT material is highly compatible with
and raise awareness about the importance of reducing plastic soil, returning valuable organic material
waste, fostering a collective effort towards environmental to the earth once decomposed.
sustainability. • By replacing plastic bags, these
compostable alternatives help reduce
Integration with Circular Economy waste in landfills, contributing to
responsible waste management.
The initiative promotes waste management efficiency by • The product minimizes the space
providing biodegradable solutions that reduce reliance on required for landfills and waste disposal,
single-use plastics and enhance soil health through the return fostering a cleaner and more sustainable
of organic material. urban environment.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

The initiative can be replicated in other urban areas. By Contact
scaling up the production capacity of compostable bags G Sharath Nayak, IAS
in response to growing demand, this initiative allows for Executive Officer,
wider distribution and a significant increase in its impact on Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat
reducing plastic usage. [Link]@[Link]

76
 Turning Plastic Waste
into Public Assets: Itarsi’s
Circular Economy Model
Introduction

The Plastic Waste Recycling Plant in Itarsi is a pioneering

initiative aimed at managing the city’s plastic waste while
generating economic and environmental benefits. The plant
converts plastic waste into usable items such as chairs,
benches, and paver blocks, reducing landfill burden and State/UT Madhya Pradesh
promoting sustainable urban development.
Urban Local Body Nagar Palika Itarsi

Activities Directorate of Urban

Department/
Organisation Administration and Development,
Plastic waste is collected through the Material Recovery Madhya Pradesh
Facility (MRF) Center with active public participation and
waste segregation. It is then sorted into categories like PET, Duration Operational since 2022
HDPE, and LDPE before undergoing shredding, melting, and
moulding into products such as benches, chairs, and paver
blocks. These recycled plastic items are installed in public
spaces like parks and temples. Awareness campaigns engage Impact
citizens in environmental education and waste segregation,
while ongoing operations focus on scaling up by increasing
MRF capacity, acquiring more machines, and fostering private- • Reduces dependence on raw materials
like cement and iron.
sector partnerships. The project enhances environmental
• Lowers landfill waste and pollution levels.
sustainability by reducing plastic pollution through efficient
• Cuts carbon footprint by reducing energy
waste collection, segregation, and processing. The project is use in plastic production.
managed and coordinated by Nagar Palika Itarsi, with Balaji • A recycled plastic bench costs INR 4,500
Enterprises responsible for manufacturing recycled plastic compared to INR 8,000 for a cement
products. Citizens play a crucial role in waste segregation bench, saving INR 3,04,000 across 38
and disposal, while environmental organizations, NGOs, benches.
social organizations, and educational institutions support
awareness campaigns. Safai Mitras and recycling experts • Creates employment for local
manufacturers and MRF staff.
handle technical aspects of waste processing and production.
• Engages citizens, enhances public spaces,
and improves urban aesthetics.
Integration with Circular Economy

The initiative promotes recycling and reuse by converting

plastic waste into durable products instead of allowing it to
To know more
pollute the environment. It adds value by producing benches,
tables, and paver blocks from recycled plastic, reducing Contact
landfill accumulation and promoting sustainable resource
Ritu Mehra
management.
Chief Municipal Officer,
Nagar Palika Itarsi
Replicability and Scalability cmoitarsi@[Link]

The model is highly replicable for cities facing plastic waste

management challenges. Urban local bodies can implement
it in parks and public spaces to reduce costs. Expanding
processing capacity through advanced recycling technology
and partnering with private companies, NGOs, and
educational institutions can help scale operations.
77
 Eliminating Single-Use
Plastic: Chhattisgarh’s 3
Innovative Approaches
Introduction

Recognising the need for sustainable solutions for growing

environmental concerns related to plastic pollution, the
Municipal Corporation of Ambikapur launched several
initiatives to eliminate single-use plastic and ensure the State/UT Chhattisgarh
scientific disposal of plastic waste. The innovative approaches,
such as the Bartan Bank and Jhola Bank, were introduced to Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Ambikapur
provide eco-friendly alternatives, while initiatives like the Department/
Garbage Café encouraged community participation in waste Organisation Municipal Corporation Ambikapur
reduction. Duration Since 2017

Activities

One of the primary initiatives, the Bartan Bank, was

introduced in 2017 to provide citizens with a viable and cost-
effective alternative to disposable utensils. The initiative
Impact
enables residents to rent steel utensils, under the ‘ask-
use-wash-return’ model, at a minimal cost for community
The Bartan Banks have generated a total
gatherings, marriages, and other social functions. Currently, revenue of INR 16,78,550 since their
eight Bartan Banks empower 89 Self Help Group (SHG) inception, significantly reducing the
women and ensure citywide accessibility. consumption of single-use plastic utensils.
The Jhola Bank, also introduced in 2017, promotes reusable The Jhola Banks have sold thousands of
cloth and jute bags, amounting to a revenue
cloth and jute bags, easily available for purchase or lending, to
of INR 3,50,000. The Garbage Café has
reduce the dependency on plastic bags. With 25 operational
collected and repurposed 19,530 kg of
Jhola banks, 35 SHG women are engaged in supporting plastic waste while serving approximately
sustainable alternatives. 24,000 meals. Additionally, the initiative
In July 2019, the Garbage Café was launched to tackle plastic has generated a revenue of INR 2,35,000
waste and food security. It offers meals in exchange for by selling collected plastic waste to cement
factories and other vendors.
plastic waste (breakfast for 500g and a full meal for 1kg) to
the underprivileged. The initiative currently engages 10 SHG
members in its operations.

Integration with Circular Economy To know more

The Bartan Bank minimises disposable waste by promoting Contact
reusable utensils, while the Jhola Bank provides long-lasting
Mr Ritesh Saini
bag options that reduce plastic consumption. The Garbage
Nodal Officer,
Café ensures community engagement offering social benefits
Municipal Corporation Ambikapur
to waste collection.
nagarnigamambikapur@[Link]

Replicability and Scalability

The success of these initiatives makes them highly replicable

across other cities facing similar challenges with plastic
waste.

78
 Tackling Multi-Layer
Plastics: Punjab’s Plastic
to Chipboard Scheme
Introduction

The Plastic Recycling Facility (PRF) in Patiala was established

under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative
to address the challenge of low-value plastic waste
management. This facility specialises in recycling multi- State/UT Punjab
layered plastic (MLP), by converting it into chipboards. These
chipboards offer an environmentally friendly alternative to Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation Patiala
plywood, for furniture, roofing sheets, temporary shelters,
Department/ Indian Pollution Control
and damp-proof walls. Organisation Association

Activities Duration Since 2024

The recycling process at the PRF involves multiple stages

to breakdown plastic waste into chipboards. The first step
involves sorting and cleaning low-value plastic waste,
which is then shredded into flakes of approximately 10 Impact
mm in size. These plastic flakes are distributed evenly on
an 8 ft by 4 ft platform and is then further processed to
• Reduces dependency on virgin resources,
bond the flakes together, forming a single, cohesive sheet thereby conserving natural materials
The final product is a durable chipboard that is resistant to and minimising deforestation caused
water, termites, and rust, making it an ideal substitute for by plywood production. The recycling
plywood in various construction and furnishing applications. facility significantly lowers landfill waste,
The facility operates with a processing capacity of 10 preventing plastic pollution and reducing
tonnes of waste per day, producing approximately 75 to greenhouse gas emissions associated
100 chipboards daily. These boards are then distributed for with traditional waste disposal methods.
use in infrastructure projects, furniture manufacturing, and • The initiative has led to considerable
other industrial applications. Stakeholders from Municipal cost savings by eliminating the need for
Corporation, Patiala; Indian Pollution Control Association expensive waste disposal logistics. The
(IPCA), MLP waste collectors, other Municipal Councils and production of chipboards from waste
Corporations who are segregating and providing MLP Waste plastic also creates a new revenue
are involved in this process. stream, contributing to the economic
viability of the project.
Integration with Circular Economy

Instead of being disposed of in landfills or incinerated, MLP To know more

waste is transformed into long-lasting, functional products.
The process extends the life cycle of plastic materials, Contact
reducing environmental pollution and promoting resource Dr. Reena Chadha
efficiency. General Manager,
Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA),
Replicability and Scalability reena@[Link]

This model can be replicated in other districts with municipal

partnerships and CSR funding, infrastructure, and market
linkages for chipboard distribution.

79
 SUP-free Farmers
Markets: Trichy’s IEC
Efforts Thrive
Introduction

Despite the ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP) products in

Tiruchirappalli, markets remain hotspots for their use
and disposal. This is because SUP products are cheap
and easily available. Therefore, in 2022, the Trichy City
Corporation in collaboration with GIZ India’s Circular Waste State/UT Tamil Nadu
Solutions project implemented an important and well-timed
intervention to raise public awareness and initiate change
Urban Local Body Trichy City Corporation
to cement Trichy’s commitment towards environmental Department/
Organisation GIZ India and Saahas
welfare.
Duration 2022-2024
Activities

Uzhavar Santhais or farmers markets in in Tennur, K.K. Nagar

and a daily market at Woraiyur were identified and selected
by the Tiruchirappalli City Corporation in partnership with Impact
GIZ and other non-profit organisations wherein the campaign
for entrenching ‘SUP-free markets’ was launched. The • The farmer’s market of Tennur successfully
markets collectively host a total of 220 vendors. The project avoided using 2,200 kgs of SUPs over a
was framed to reach out to each vendor to constructively period of one year; the one in KK Nagar
interact and engage with them to build their awareness and avoided about 620 kgs in four months;
understanding about SUPs - why they are harmful and what and the daily market at Woraiyur avoided
role they play in environmental degradation. Information about 300 kgs of SUPs over a period of six
about readily available sustainable alternatives was also months.
provided to the vendors. Thunippai Thiruvizhai was a focused
• The campaign stressed on having the
initiative that was implemented by the project to promote
vendors on board, mentored them, and
the use of reusable cloth bags amongst buyers.
publicised their achievements with
regards to the replacement of SUPs with
Integration with Circular Economy sustainable alternatives.

The ‘SUP-free market’ campaign has promoted a circular

economy by reducing waste, promoting reusable alternatives,
To know more
and upcycling old textiles into cloth bags. It fosters sustainable
consumption, engages stakeholders, and ensures compliance Contact
with the state sanctioned SUP ban, creating a waste-free, Dr. M. Vijay Chandran
resource-efficient market system. City Health Officer,
Tiruchirappalli City Corporation
Replicability and Scalability [Link]@[Link]

The initiative can be replicated in many farmer’s markets Vanishree B. R.

across India with the support of Urban Local Bodies, markets Advisor,
under the jurisdiction of the agricultural department, and GIZ
local NGOs. [Link]@[Link]

80
 WASTE-TO-ENERGY
& BIOFUELS
Waste-to-energy is an integral part of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), or the
Clean India Mission, which focuses on generating energy from waste and enhancing
waste management across the country. This approach not only addresses the increasing
challenge of waste disposal but also generates renewable energy by converting waste
into usable energy forms. Approaches such as incineration, anaerobic digestion and the
production of biofuels help minimise landfill usage, lower greenhouse gas emissions,
and generate valuable resources like heat, electricity, and biofuel, which is an eco-
friendly alternative to fossil fuel, supporting SBM’s goals for a clean and sustainable
environment.

81
 Guntur’s Power Play:
Transforming Waste Into
Clean Energy
Introduction

In the heart of Andhra Pradesh, Guntur took a bold step

towards sustainable urban management by turning waste
into wealth. The city, grappling with mounting municipal
solid waste, launched a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) initiative in State/UT Andhra Pradesh
2022, setting a precedent towards clean energy solutions
Urban Local Body
Guntur Municipal Corporation
while drastically reducing landfill dependency. The Guntur
(GMC)
Municipal Corporation (GMC) collaborated with private
waste management companies and the Andhra Pradesh Duration Operational since 2022
Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) in this
endeavour.

Activities
Impact
The 15 MW Waste-to-Energy plant near Guntur processes
1,200 metric tonnes of waste daily, sourced from Vijayawada,
Guntur, and neighbouring regions. By converting non- Landfill usage has been slashed by 70
recyclable waste into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), the project percent, significantly reducing the
successfully generates energy while tackling the persistent associated pollution.
issue of urban solid waste disposal. Enhanced waste management infrastructure
has improved living conditions in the region.
Integration with Circular Economy
The clean energy generated now powers
This initiative exemplifies circular economy principles by 30,000 households, reinforcing Andhra
Pradesh’s renewable energy ambitions.
ensuring that even non-recyclable waste has a purpose. The
residual ash from the plant finds new life in construction
material, creating a closed-loop system that minimises
environmental impact.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

With the success of Guntur’s WTE model, Visakhapatnam Dr. Dasaradharamreddy

has also established a similar plant. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Operating Officer,
government has recognised its potential, proposing three Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC)
more plants, with tenders already invited for facilities in commissioner@[Link]
Nellore and Rajamahendravaram.

82
 Tirupati’s Green
Revolution: Turning
Organic Waste Into
Bio-CNG
Introduction

Tirupati, known for its religious significance, is now setting

an example in sustainability by transforming organic waste
State/UT Andhra Pradesh
into Bio-CNG. Since 2023, the city’s Bio-CNG plant has Urban Local Body Tirupati Municipal Corporation
been tackling greenhouse gas emissions while producing
clean energy and nutrient-rich compost. This initiative has Duration Operational since 2023
been possible through the collaborative efforts of Tirupati
Municipal Corporation, private waste-to-energy technology
providers, local farmers and commercial CNG users.
Impact
Activities

Organic waste is collected from households, markets, and Prevents methane emissions from organic
bulk waste generators. Through anaerobic digestion, biogas waste decomposition, cutting down 15,000
is produced and purified into compressed natural gas (CNG). tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.
The by-product, organic compost, is supplied to farmers,
Provides farmers with affordable, high-
creating a sustainable cycle.
quality compost, improving soil health.

Integration with Circular Economy The sale of Bio-CNG and compost generates
additional revenue for Tirupati Municipal
The initiative converts organic waste into valuable Corporation.
resources—Bio-CNG for commercial use and organic
compost for agriculture—ensuring that waste is treated and
reused rather than discarded.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact
Highly replicable in cities with significant organic waste Dr. Dasaradharam Reddy,
generation. With structured organic waste collection Chief Operating Officer,
systems, similar plants can be set up across municipalities. Tirupati Municipal Corporation
[Link]@[Link]

83
 Karnataka’s Waste-To-
Energy Approach: A
Biomethanation Plant

Introduction

The Ramanagara City Municipal Council in Karnataka has set

up a local biomethanation facility that converts segregated
wet waste into biogas. As a renewable source of energy, State/UT Karnataka
biogas production in Ramanagara is extremely beneficial
to decrease the city’s dependence on fossil fuels, while also
Urban Local Body
Ramanagara City Municipal
tackling municipal solid waste in a sustainable manner. Council
Department/ Ramanagara City Municipal
Activities Organisation Council
Segregated wet waste is collected and fed into the Duration Ongoing
biomethanation plant. This waste is broken down by
anaerobic digestion, that is a process where microorganisms
break down the organic matter present in the waste in the
absence of oxygen. The biogas ultimately produced is rich
in methane and can be used as an alternative source of Impact
renewable fuel and electricity. Through biomethanation at
the Ramanagara plant, 1 tonne of wet waste can be converted
to 10kW of power. The electricity generated at the plant is • Reduces local dependency on non-
currently being used to power the network of street lights renewable sources of energy, facilitating
that surround the local premises along the facility. their conservation.
• Produces biogas as a renewable source
Integration with Circular Economy of energy, as an environmentally-friendly
alternative.
The transformation of organic waste material into clean and
• Minimizes waste accumulating in landfills
renewable sources of energy enables the establishment of a
and waste incineration facilities.
circular loop where waste is reused to produce alternative
green energy. • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
considerably, thereby helping to mitigate
the perils of air pollution in the city.
Replicability and Scalability

The replicability and scalability of this plant depends upon

land and monetary availability. However, it is an extremely
beneficial waste management model that can be set up near To know more
city waste accumulation hotspots, or bulk waste generating
Contact
units.
Dr. Jayanna
Municipal Commissioner,
Ramanagara City Municipal Council
[Link]@[Link]

84
 Producing Energy from
Waste: Karnataka’s
GOBARdhan Initiative
Introduction

The Government Veterinary Polytechnic - Goshala has

implemented a 45-cubic-meter biogas plant as part of
the GOBARdhan initiative to manage organic waste and
promote sustainable energy. This plant converts waste into
12 kilograms of biogas daily, along with producing organic
State/UT Karnataka
manure, which improves sanitation and reduces energy Gram Panchayat Kannur
costs. The biogas is used for cooking.
Department/ Department of Drinking Water &
Organisation Sanitation
Activities

The project was conceptualized under the SBM-G, wherein

biogas plant were installed in rural areas. With support from
the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department and
the Zilla Panchayat, Haveri, the Government Veterinary Impact
Polytechnic - Goshala was identified as a suitable location
for the plant. The staff at the veterinary hospital and Goshala
received training in operating and maintaining the biogas • The plant efficiently converts organic
plant to ensure its long-term sustainability. waste into 12 kg of biogas per day,
along with approximately 1,500 liters
The primary waste sources include the generation of
of liquid slurry and 100 kg of solid
approximately 600 kg of cow dung, 50 kg of kitchen waste, organic manure, significantly reducing
and leftover food per day, respectively. Based on the above environmental pollution.
analysis, a 45-cubic meter KVIC biogas plant was designed • The reduction in methane emissions
and installed to process livestock manure and agricultural from decomposing waste contributes to
residues efficiently for INR 12.00 lakh from SBM-G. climate change mitigation.

• Reduced energy costs and the use of

Integration with Circular Economy organic manure in agriculture have
provided economic advantages.
The plant utilizes anaerobic digestion technology to
convert organic waste into biogas, providing a renewable
energy source while minimizing environmental pollution.
Additionally, a structured training program was conducted
To know more
for staff members, ensuring effective plant operation,
maintenance, and safety management. Contact

KL Prabhu Mahalingaiah
Replicability and Scalability Sarpanch,
Kunnur Gram Panchayat
The plant serves as a model for rural waste management
[Link]@[Link]
and sustainable energy solutions. By effectively utilizing
the waste generated in the college goshala, the project has
demonstrated the viability of biogas technology under the
SBM-G GOBARdhan. The success of this initiative highlights
the potential for replication in other rural areas, contributing
to a cleaner environment, improved sanitation, and enhanced
energy security.

85
 Indore’s BioCNG
Breakthrough: Turning
Wet Waste into Green Fuel
Introduction

Indore’s 550 TPD BioCNG Plant is a pioneering initiative

under the city’s Zero Waste Discharge Model, aimed
at transforming organic waste into valuable resources.
Established through a public-private partnership, the plant State/UT Madhya Pradesh
converts wet waste into BioCNG and CO2, reducing landfill
Urban Local Body Indore Municipal Corporation
dependency and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Indore Municipal Corporation oversees waste transportation Directorate of Urban
Department/
and project monitoring, while a private concessionaire, in
Organisation Administration and Development,
collaboration with a German technology partner, manages Madhya Pradesh
plant operations. Financial support comes from HDFC Bank
and Green Fund (GoI & GoUK Partnership). Regulatory
Duration Since February 2022
compliance is ensured by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution
Control Board, and Avantika Gas Ltd. facilitates BioCNG
distribution. Public transport operators use the BioCNG for
cleaner mobility. Impact
Activities
• Reduction of 1,30,000 tonnes of CO2
The project focuses on sustainable waste management by emissions annually, landfill diversion with
converting 550 tonnes per day (TPD) of organic waste into only 1 percent of inorganic impurities
BioCNG, compost, and CO2. Advanced bio methanation reaching dumpsites, and conservation of
land and water ecosystems.
technology ensures high methane purity, making the
BioCNG suitable for public transport and commercial use. • Cleaner environment, reduced disease
Additionally, the initiative promotes source segregation, outbreaks, job creation in waste
renewable energy adoption, and revenue generation through management and compost sales, and
waste-derived products. community participation in waste
segregation.

Integration with Circular Economy • INR 25,000,000 monthly revenue, INR

14,000,000 in operational expenses, INR
The initiative promotes circular economy principles by 25,200,000 annual royalty to IMC, INR
producing 17 TPD of BioCNG for green fuel, 100 TPD of 3,00,000 – 4,00,000 monthly savings via
compost for agriculture, and capturing CO2 for potential solar power.
industrial use. Additionally, 75 percent of treated wastewater
is reused within plant operations, while solar energy powers
20 percent of the facility, reducing electricity costs and
dependency on fossil fuels. To know more

Contact
Replicability and Scalability
Abhilash Mishra, IAS
Indore’s model can be replicated in many cities by ensuring Additional Commissioner,
100 percent source segregation, adequate land availability, Indore Municipal Corporation
and strong PPP frameworks. Scaling up includes expanding [Link]@[Link]
Indore’s capacity to 800 TPD, setting up decentralised
BioCNG plants, implementing policy-level reforms, and
promoting carbon credit trading.

86
 Rewa’s Energy Makeover:
Converting Trash Into
Treasure
Introduction

The Rewa Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM)

project is a sustainable waste management initiative that
transforms municipal solid waste into compost and energy.
Through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the
project has established a 350 TPD Waste-to-Energy (WTE) State/UT Madhya Pradesh
plant, reducing landfill dependency while contributing to
economic and environmental sustainability.
Urban Local Body Rewa Municipal Corporation
Directorate of Urban
Department/
Activities Organisation Administration and Development,
Madhya Pradesh
The initiative processes approximately 1,24,000 tonnes
of municipal solid waste annually, generating renewable Waste-to-Compost since
energy and reducing environmental pollution. The project Duration December 2022 & WTE since
contributes to achieving multiple Sustainable Development February 2024
Goals (SDGs), including clean energy, responsible
consumption, and climate action. The initiative involves
key stakeholders ensuring its success. MoHUA provides
grant support under Swachh Bharat Mission, while the
Impact
Directorate of Urban Administration and Development,
Madhya Pradesh, acts as the tendering authority. Rewa • By converting waste into energy, the
Municipal Corporation oversees project monitoring, with plant reduces 1,24,000 tonnes of
Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. handling plant design and CO2 emissions annually, potentially
operations. MPPCB ensures regulatory compliance, and generating INR 80,000,000 in carbon
Madhya Pradesh Power Management oversees power credits. This aligns with sustainability
purchase agreements. Grid connectivity is managed by goals while minimising landfill waste and
Madhya Pradesh Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company its associated environmental hazards.
Ltd. MNRE offers custom duty exemptions, while the • The project fosters a cleaner
Directorate of Boilers and the Chief Electrical Inspectorate environment, reduces disease outbreaks,
Division conduct annual inspections and audits. and provides employment opportunities
in waste collection, plant operations, and
compost sales. Community engagement
Integration with Circular Economy
in waste segregation enhances public
The project supports circular economy principles by awareness and participation.
converting waste into energy and compost. 30 TPD of • The WTE plant generates over
compost is produced to enhance soil health and support 400,00,000 units of electricity annually,
organic farming. These efforts contribute to sustainable valued at INR 21,000,000, demonstrating
waste management while generating economic value from the financial viability of waste-to-energy
waste-derived resources. conversion.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

Contact
Expansion plans include an RDF-based 6 MW WTE plants
in Gwalior, Ujjain, and Indore, while policy reforms like net Saurabh Sanjay Sonawane (IAS)
metering, capital grants, and GST exemptions can enhance Commissioner,
financial viability. Collaborations with global institutions Rewa Municipal Corporation
such as the World Bank, ADB, and UNDP can further commrewa@[Link]
support knowledge exchange and best practice adoption.
87
 Powering Cities with
Waste: Jabalpur’s 600 TPD
Waste-to-Energy Success
Introduction

The 600 TPD Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Plant in Jabalpur is a

pioneering initiative aimed at sustainable and efficient waste
management. By utilising mass-burning technology, the plant
processes 600 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste to
generate 11.5 MW of electricity per hour, reducing land- State/UT Madhya Pradesh
fill burden and promoting environmental sustainability. The
Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) oversees waste col-
Urban Local Body Jabalpur Municipal Corporation
lection and provides land on lease, while Jabalpur MSW Pvt. Directorate of Urban
Department/
Ltd. (Essel Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.) manages plant operations.
Organisation Administration and Development,
Hitachi Zosen (Japan) supplies the core technology, with fi- Madhya Pradesh
nancial institutions funding the INR 1,780,000,000 invest-
ment. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board ensures Duration
Project initiated in February 2014
regulatory compliance, and other key stakeholders include and completed in February 2016
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Directorate of
Boilers, and Chief Electrical Inspectorate Division.
Impact
Activities

The project ensures efficient waste processing, energy • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by
generation, and environmental sustainability, contributing approximately 1 ton of CO2 per ton of
to eight Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including waste processed.
Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7) and Climate Action • Generates 2.40 lakh carbon credits
(Goal 13). Developed under a Public-Private Partnership annually, contributing to an additional
(PPP) with Essel Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd., it operates with INR 15+ crore in revenue.
an INR 1,780,000,000 capital investment and employs • Minimises landfill usage, enhancing
advanced Hitachi mass-burning technology. Municipal solid waste management efficiency.
waste is collected, incinerated, and converted into electricity,
• Creates employment for skilled and
which is supplied to the Madhya Pradesh Power Management unskilled workers in waste collection and
Company Limited. Air pollution control systems ensure plant operations.
compliance, while ash residues are repurposed. Regular • Improves public health by reducing
monitoring and maintenance sustain long-term efficiency waste accumulation and related disease
and safety over the project’s 20-year operational lifespan. outbreaks.
• Encourages community engagement
in source segregation and responsible
Integration with Circular Economy
waste disposal.
The plant processes 2,16,000 tonnes of solid waste annually,
• Generates over 80,000,000 units of
significantly reducing landfill dependency. Incineration ash is electricity annually, valued at INR
repurposed into construction materials like bricks and tiles, 510,000,000.
supporting resource conservation.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

Contact
Cities like Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Pune, Surat, and Mumbai
Preeti Yadav (IAS)
can adopt this model with modifications of door-to-door
Commissioner,
waste collection, sufficient land availability, a strong PPP
Jabalpur Municipal Corporation
framework, and regulatory support.
commjabalpur@[Link]

88
 Pune’s Green Energy Hub:
From Food Waste to Fuel
Introduction

The Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Pune was established

with the objective of processing municipal solid waste (MSW)
to generate renewable energy while addressing urban waste
management challenges. With a design capacity of 300
MTPD, the plant plays a crucial role in reducing landfill waste,
mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and creating economic
opportunities. State/UT Maharashtra

Activities
Urban Local Body Pune Municipal Corporation
Department/ Solid Waste Management (SWM)
The Pune CBG plant was the first facility to supply CBG Organisation Department, PMC
under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
Transportation (SATAT) program initiated by the Ministry Duration Since 2019
of Petroleum & Natural Gas. To date, it has processed over
180,000 tons of food waste, converting it into more than
7,000 tons of compressed biogas. The operational process
includes secondary segregation, slurry preparation, and
anaerobic digestion to produce biogas. Impact
The processed slurry is transported in closed tankers to the
CBG processing plant in Talegaon MIDC, 35 km away. The
plant, operated by Noble Exchange LLP, has an investment of • Environmentally, the project mitigates
INR 65,00,00,000 and functioning capacity of approximately climate change by preventing methane
emissions from decomposing organic
150 MTPD, primarily processing cooked food waste to
waste in landfills. The reduction in fossil
enhance biogas yield. The CBG production stands at around
fuel consumption further decreases
5 MTPD, supplied to oil sector PSUs like Indian Oil and GAIL. carbon emissions. Additionally, policy
The organic manure generated as a by-product is registered alignment with SWM Rules 2016 ensures
under the “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana” scientific waste processing, fostering
and marketed through Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers. long-term environmental and public
health benefits.
Integration with Circular Economy • It supports local communities by
integrating waste management with
The anaerobic digestion process converts organic waste into energy production, creating employment
biogas, a renewable energy source that reduces dependency opportunities, and reducing waste
on fossil fuels. The by-products, such as organic manure, transportation costs.
support sustainable agriculture by enriching soil fertility and
• The initiative enhances economic
reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.
resilience by generating revenue
through CBG sales and organic manure
Replicability and Scalability distribution.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is planning to

establish another facility with a design capacity of 350 TPD.
With Pune generating approximately 1,000 TPD of wet waste, To know more
additional CBG plants will play a crucial role in sustainable
Contact
waste management. The initiative can be replicated across
other Indian cities by leveraging similar PPP models, securing Sanjay Kulkarni
policy support, and ensuring strategic land allocation for Chief Engineer, Environmental Department
waste processing facilities. Pune Municipal Corporation
environment@[Link]

89
 Turning Waste into Watts:
Pimpri-Chinchwad’s
Waste-to-Energy
Transformation
Introduction

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project was developed to address State/UT Maharashtra
the city’s growing municipal solid waste (MSW) problem
while overcoming land constraints for waste disposal.
Urban Local Body
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal
Corporation (PCMC)
Activities Department/ Environmental Department,
PCMC established an Integrated Solid Waste Management
Organisation PCMC
Facility, that includes a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Duration Since 2018
and a WTE plant, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
with Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. This 21-year
project involves the development, operation, maintenance,
and management of the facility in compliance with Swachh
Bharat Mission guidelines.
The MRF, with a capacity of 1,000 TPD, segregates municipal
Impact
waste into biodegradable and recyclable components.
Recyclables are sold to generate revenue, reducing the • The environmental benefits of the
burden on landfills, while biodegradable waste is used WTE project include reduced landfill
as feedstock for the WTE plant. The WTE plant, with an dependency, minimised greenhouse
initial capacity of 600 TPD, employs Rankine Cycle-based gas emissions, and enhanced resource
technology to generate 14.5 MW of electricity. The energy is efficiency. By processing non-recyclable
utilised for municipal operations, including water and sewage waste into energy, the project significantly
treatment plants, at a cost-effective rate. Residual non- lowers methane emissions and aligns with
recoverable waste is safely disposed of in sanitary landfills PCMC’s climate action goals.
equipped with leachate treatment facilities. • Socially, the initiative generates
employment opportunities in waste
Integration with Circular Economy management, energy production, and
operational roles, fostering economic
Waste processing through anaerobic digestion and thermal development.
treatment diverts approximately 500-700 metric tons of • The financial sustainability of the
municipal waste daily from disposal sites. The generated project is ensured through multiple
energy, approximately 14 MW, is either supplied to the local revenue streams, including tipping fees,
grid or used for municipal operations, reducing reliance on recyclables sales, and energy generation.
conventional power sources. The model also contributes to reduced
electricity costs for municipal services,
enhancing economic resilience.
Replicability and Scalability

The initiative is easily replicable in other urban areas with To know more
similar waste generation patterns. Solid Waste Management Contact
Rules 2016 supports nationwide adoption. With municipal
Sanjay Kulkarni
support, structured financing, and adaptable technology,
Chief Engineer, Environmental Department,
similar projects can promote cleaner cities, reduced landfill
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)
use, and improved energy security in India and globally.
environment@[Link]

90
 Fuelling Growth:
The Economic and
Environmental Benefits of
Jaipur’s Biogas Project
Introduction

The Municipal Corporation Jaipur Heritage (MCJH) has

established a Compost Biogas Plant (CBG) at Hingoniya
State/UT Rajasthan
Gaushala to process organic waste through anaerobic
Urban Local Body
Municipal Corporation Jaipur
digestion. The plant, with a capacity of 100 tons per day, is Heritage
spread over 5,269 sq. m and is designed to convert the organic
waste fraction of municipal solid waste into biogas and Department/ Local Self Government
compost. This initiative serves as an eco-friendly alternative
Organisation Department (LSGD), Rajasthan
for waste management, reducing landfill burden while Duration Minimum 20 years
generating renewable energy and compost for agricultural
use. The key stakeholders involved in this project are MCJH,
farmers and Indian Oil Company Limited.

Activities Impact
The CBG, operated by the MCJH, utilizes anaerobic digestion
technology, the plant produces both biogas and compost, • The project has a positive environmental
contributing to sustainable waste management. impact by significantly reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2
and Methane, thereby contributing to
Integration with Circular Economy
climate change mitigation.
The project focuses on recycling organic waste from • The initiative has a financial impact by
municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce biogas and compost, generating revenue through the sale
promoting sustainable waste management. The compost of biogas and compost, making waste
generated is utilized for agricultural purposes, enhancing management both economically viable
soil fertility and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. and environmentally sustainable.
Additionally, the biogas produced serves as a renewable
energy source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and
contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

The project demonstrates high potential for replication in Arun Kumar Hasija
major cities of Rajasthan, including Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Municipal Commissioner,
Ajmer, Bikaner, and Bharatpur, where effective organic waste Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage
management is a pressing priority. By implementing similar [Link]@[Link]
plants in these urban areas, local governments can enhance
sustainable waste processing, promote renewable energy
generation, and improve overall environmental outcomes.
This scalability makes the initiative a viable solution for
addressing the challenges of organic waste management
across the state.

91
 From Waste to Fuel:
Rajasthan Goes Green

Introduction

The initiative aims to provide a sustainable solution for

municipal solid waste management by promoting the circular
economy. It focuses on converting municipal waste into
Purified RDF (Sustainable Alternate Fuel), compost, and
recycled aggregates to reduce landfill dependency, improve
public health, and enhance urban air quality. The project also State/UT Rajasthan
aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and contributes Local Self Government
to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Key Urban Local Body
Department, Rajasthan
stakeholders include government bodies like the Local Self
Government Department, ULBs, and RSPCB, Green Gene Local Self Government
Recyclers, cement industries, and bio-mining contractors. Department, Rajasthan State
Department/ Pollution Control Board (RSPCB)
Activities
Organisation Centralized RDF Processing
Facility- Green Gene Recyclers
The initiative focuses on efficient municipal solid waste Private Limited
(MSW) management through bio-mining of legacy waste
Duration Ongoing
and daily collection and processing of fresh waste across
Rajasthan and Delhi. Advanced technologies are used to
convert MSW into purified Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) at
facilities in Chittorgarh and Neemrana. The purified RDF
serves as a sustainable alternate fuel (SAF) for cement
Impact
industries, power plants, and other energy-intensive
sectors, reducing reliance on coal and pet coke. Additionally,
• Reduced landfill dependency, zero
construction and demolition (C&D) waste is recycled into
wastewater discharge, lower demand
aggregates for road and building construction, grinding units, for raw materials, and improved air
and cement plants. Compost is also produced from inert quality with 45 percent carbon intensity
waste, enhancing soil quality for agriculture and horticulture reduction by 2030. High-calorific RDF
applications. The initiative ensures proper handling of by- (more than 4500 CV) ensures a stable
products and promotes sustainable waste utilization to alternative fuel supply, cuts reliance on
achieve zero waste generation. imported coal, and lowers operational
costs.
Integration with Circular Economy • Employment generation, enhanced waste
processing, and contribution to Swachh
This initiative supports the circular economy by converting Bharat Abhiyan through clearance of
waste into RDF, compost, and recycled aggregates, reducing legacy waste.
landfill dependency and promoting sustainable reuse.
Purified RDF serves as a clean energy alternative, cutting
fossil fuel reliance and GHG emissions. Recycling C&D waste
reduces demand for natural resources, while composting To know more
enhances soil fertility. Contact

Mr. Priyesh D. Bhatti

Replicability and Scalability Director, Enviro Office,
Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan
The model is replicable in other states through partnerships
priyeshbhatti@[Link]
with ULBs, cement industries, and power plants enabling
regional adaptation.

92
 Gwalior Tackles Cattle
Dung: 100 TPD at a Time

Introduction

A 100 TPD Cattle Dung-Based Compressed Bio Gas (CBG)

Plant at Adarsh Gaushala, Laltipara, Gwalior, has been
established by Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC).
It aimed at transforming organic waste into a valuable
renewable energy source. Developed in collaboration
with IOCL and Nutzen Engineering Solutions, the project State/UT Madhya Pradesh
integrates circular economy principles by recycling organic
waste, minimizing methane emissions, and generating high-
Urban Local Body Gwalior Municipal Corporation
value by products. Department/
Organisation Gwalior Municipal Corporation

Activities Duration 2024

The CBG plant at Adarsh Gaushala is designed to process 100
tons per day of cattle dung, supplemented by approximately
15 to 20 tons per day of the organic waste, which will be
supplied to the plant premises by GMC. The primary output
Impact
of this facility is Compressed Bio Gas, a renewable and eco-
friendly energy source. Additionally, the plant will generate • It contributes to the reduction of
Solid and Liquid Fermented organic manure as byproducts, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by
which is a nutrient-rich organic manure that can significantly utilizing organic waste to generate
benefit agricultural practices by promoting organic farming. renewable energy, reducing methane
emissions from untreated organic
matter. The plant’s byproducts—solid
Integration with Circular Economy
and liquid organic manure—will
The integration of renewable energy with circular economy contribute to sustainable agricultural
practices.
principles—through waste valorization and the production
of value-added products—makes it an ideal candidate for • The project provides energy access to
scaling in both rural and urban contexts. the local community. It also presents an
opportunity for job creation and skills
development in the renewable energy
Replicability and Scalability
and waste management sectors.
This model has significant potential for replication in
other regions with similar agricultural setups and waste
management challenges. The plant’s capacity can be
To know more
incrementally increased by expanding its waste processing
infrastructure to handle more organic waste. The model can Contact
be scaled up regionally or nationally by replicating it across Shelendra Saxena
other agricultural hubs, dairies, and waste-producing areas. Assistant Engineer,
Gwalior Municipal Corporation
[Link]@[Link]

93
 Transforming Bihar through
GOBARdhan Yojana: A
Sustainable Approach
Introduction

The GOBARdhan Yojana in Bihar addresses multiple

objectives, including providing sustainable fuel, illuminating
village streets, improving environmental cleanliness, and
reducing germ-borne diseases. The initiative has established State/UT Bihar
operational units in 31 districts, contributing to sustainable
development by producing biogas, electricity, and manure. Department/ Department of Drinking Water &
The GOBARdhan Yojana not only addresses the immediate
Organisation Sanitation
need for sustainable fuel but also fosters a circular economy
by promoting the use of organic fertilizers in agriculture.
This holistic approach aligns with the state’s commitment to
environmental stewardship and rural development.
Impact
Similarly, in other districts, biogas is being distributed to
homes, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative
for cooking fuel. • Specific examples include the production
of 10 KV of electricity daily in Kotwa block
Activities (East Champaran), supplying biogas to
educational institutions.
The GOBARdhan Yojana in Bihar involves the establishment
• In Giriyak block of Nalanda district, the
of biogas production units across 31 districts, generating
GOBARdhan unit in Ghazipur Gram
sustainable fuel, electricity, and organic manure. These Panchayat is supplying biogas to Kasturba
units supply biogas to educational institutions, homes, and Girls Residential School. This not only
businesses, reducing reliance on conventional fuels and serves as a cleaner and sustainable fuel
promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, the source but also contributes to the efficient
initiative enhances waste management by efficiently utilizing management of cow dung and other
organic waste and fostering a circular economy through the kitchen organic waste.
use of organic fertilizers in agriculture.
• The GOBARdhan unit in Balesara Gram
Panchayat, located in Uchka village block
Integration with Circular Economy of Gopalganj district, is supplying biogas
for fuel to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.
By converting organic waste into valuable resources like This ensures the preparation of meals for
biogas and manure, the initiative strengthens the circular 200-250 students, fostering a green and
economy, ensuring sustainable resource utilization and ecofriendly environment.
minimal environmental impact.
• GOBARdhan units in Barauni-I Gram
Panchayat of Teghra block in Begusarai
Replicability and Scalability district are supplying biogas to local
cowsheds, restaurants, and homes.
The Yojana represents a sustainable revolution in Bihar,
showcasing the effective management of organic waste for
renewable energy generation and agricultural enhancement.
By promoting the use of biogas, electricity, and organic To know more
fertilizers, the initiative contributes to environmental Contact
sustainability, rural development, and improved quality of Mr. Rajesh Tiwari
life for communities. Its success underscores the potential Deputy Secretary,
for innovative solutions to address complex challenges while Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation
fostering a circular economy. nodalofficersbmbihar1@[Link]

94
 Alternate Fuel for
Alternate Future:
Chittorgarh’s Journey
Introduction

This initiative focuses on the pre-processing of hazardous

and non-hazardous industrial waste to produce alternate fuel
(AFR), reducing dependency on fossil fuels and minimizing
environmental impact. The project aims to improve public
health, environmental quality, and resource conservation by
State/UT Rajasthan
promoting sustainable waste management and co-processing Rajasthan State Pollution Control
in cement kilns. Board (RSPCB)
Centralized Alternate Fuel
Department/
Activities Organisation Resource Facility- Green Gene
Enviro Protection
Operational at Chittorgarh since 2018, the facility Infrastructure Private Limited,
produces approximately 6,000 TPM of alternate fuel. The Chittorgarh-Rajasthan
key activities include hazardous waste collection from
industries, transportation to the pre-processing facility, Duration Ongoing
quality analysis through random and composite sampling,
and the manufacturing of alternate fuel. The processed fuel
is then supplied to cement plants as an energy-efficient and
eco-friendly substitute for coal and pet coke. The initiative
ensures compliance with CPCB and MoEF&CC guidelines, Impact
promotes uniform quality supply, and eliminates the need
for landfill or incineration. Additionally, advanced blending
techniques and digital tracking through GPS and blockchain • Reduces landfill waste, mitigates
ensure transparency and efficiency. GHG emissions (1.37 million MT of
CO2 reduced), conserves fresh water
(284,846 KL saved), and eliminates
Integration with Circular Economy wastewater discharge. The project also
contributes to cleaner air quality and a
The initiative plays a crucial role in the circular economy reduced carbon footprint.
by utilizing industrial waste as an alternative fuel and raw
material. By co-processing waste in cement kilns, it achieves • Creates employment in waste collection,
zero-residue disposal, eliminating incineration ash and landfill transportation, and processing,
dependency. This approach promotes industrial symbiosis, supporting livelihoods in the waste
where waste from one industry serves as a resource for management sector.
another, fostering sustainable business models. • Reduces coal import dependency for
cement manufacturers, minimizes waste
Replicability and Scalability disposal costs, and enhances energy
security.
The model can be replicated through standardized policies
and incentives for industries adopting. Co-processing can
facilitate smooth implementation. Establishing decentralized To know more
pre-processing facilities near industrial hubs can minimize
Contact
transportation costs and increase efficiency. Public-Private
Partnerships (PPP) and policy-level interventions will Mr. Priyesh D. Bhatti
play a key role in scaling the initiative, ensuring long-term Director Enviro Office,
sustainability. Rajasthan Pollution Control Board
priyeshbhatti@[Link]

95
 Scaling Sustainability:
Bringing Jaipur’s Circular
Economy Vision to More
Cities
Introduction

The Municipal Corporation Greater Jaipur (MCGJ), in

collaboration with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
(BPCL), has undertaken an innovative Liquid Waste to Energy State/UT Rajasthan
(Bio-Methanation) project. This initiative focuses on utilizing Municipal Corporation Greater
used water for bio-methanation to generate biogas and Urban Local Body
Jaipur (MCGJ)
revenue from waste. This is India’s first integrated project
installed in a single premise, featuring an STP of 215 MLD Department/ Local Self Government
capacity, a biogas-based 2.4 MW power generation plant, a Organisation Department (LSGD), Rajasthan
biogas-based CNG bottling plant, and a 1.5 MW solar power
Duration 25-year concession period
plant.

Activities

Under the Biogas Purchase Agreement, BPCL purchases Impact

biogas from MCGJ at a variable price linked to the
petroleum index, ensuring a market-driven approach to
pricing. As part of the Biogas Supply Commitment, MCGJ • The project reduces greenhouse gas
guarantees a minimum daily supply of 6,500 NM³ of raw emissions (CO2 & Methane), improves
biogas to BPCL, ensuring a steady and reliable feedstock sanitation and urban cleanliness.
for energy production. To facilitate project implementation,
• The project generates revenue through
Land Allocation was made by MCGJ, providing adjacent
biogas sales while decreasing energy
land for BPCL to set up the necessary plant infrastructure.
dependency.
BPCL assumes full responsibility for capital (CAPEX) and
operational (OPEX) expenditures, reducing the financial
burden on MCGJ. The entire initiative operates under a
Concession Period of 25 years, structured as a Public-Private To know more
Partnership (PPP) model.
Contact

Integration with Circular Economy Arun Vyas

Chief Engineer,
The project promotes reuse of treated wastewater for LSGD, Rajasthan
agricultural purposes, ensuring efficient water resource arunvyas2001@[Link]
management and reducing freshwater demand for irrigation.
Additionally, it enables the recovery of biogas from liquid
waste, which serves as a sustainable energy source, thereby
reducing dependency on fossil fuels and contributing to a
cleaner environment.

Replicability and Scalability

The project has significant potential for replication in major

cities of Rajasthan, including Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer,
Bikaner, and Bharatpur, where similar waste-to-energy
solutions can be implemented to enhance sustainability.

96
 LEGACY WASTE
MANAGEMENT AND
DUMPSITE
REMEDIATION
Dumpsites have historically been a common feature of Indian cities, with decades
of unmanaged waste piling up unsupervised along a large stretch of land. This has led
to severe environmental and health hazards, polluting local neighbourhoods. India’s
journey in legacy waste management has evolved significantly over the past few years,
reflecting the country’s increasing awareness towards environmental sustainability and
its prioritisation of maintaining a clean and safe environment for all. With the launch of
the Swachh Bharat Mission, significant strides have been made in addressing the issue of
legacy waste through innovative waste management and dumpsite remediation practices.
Land reclamation, leachate management, and waste stabilisation are a few prominent
approaches that are being implemented to transform these hazardous legacy waste sites
into sprawling, vibrant green zones.

97
 Reclaiming Dumpsites:
Goa’s Waste Management
Initiatives
Introduction

The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) was

established in 2016 as a Special Purpose Vehicle under the
Department of Science & Technology & Waste Management,
Government of Goa. It aims to facilitate the systematic and
scientific management of solid waste, E-waste, biomedical State/UT Goa
waste, hazardous waste, construction and demolition (C&D)
waste. GWMC is also empanelled as a Swacchata Knowledge Urban Local Body
Goa Waste Management
Partner (SKP) under SBM 2.0 by the Ministry of Housing and Corporation (GWMC)
Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Department/ Goa Waste Management
Organisation Corporation (GWMC)
Activities
Duration 2016 to 2025
GWMC has established integrated solid waste management
facilities, including the Saligao Facility (250 TPD), generating
28,000 units of electricity and 7-8 tons of compost per day.

Impact
The Cacora Facility (100 TPD), generates 10,000 electricity
units and 2-3 tons of compost daily. GWMC also operates
specialized treatment facilities such as a Biomedical Waste
Facility in Kundaim IDC, Ponda, treating 5-6 tons per day and a
• Reduction in landfill dependency,
Hazardous Waste Facility in Pissurlem, with a secured landfill
conservation of resources, reduction
of 25,000 TPA capacity and incineration of 1.5 Ton/hour.
in GHG emissions, and restoration of
ecological balance through legacy waste
Integration with Circular Economy remediation.
• Improved public health and hygiene,
GWMC’s circular economy initiatives emphasize
increased community awareness, and
biomethanation, energy recovery, and recycling. The Saligao employment generation in the waste
and Cacora facility has treated over 5,07,000 and 31,000 tons management sector.
of waste, generating more than 3,79,00,000 and 38,00,000 • Revenue generation through compost,
electricity units respectively. The compost production biogas, and recyclables, with long-term
supports sustainable agriculture, with 8 TPD compost at cost reduction in waste management.
Saligao and 3 TPD at Cacora. The POTI initiative (Protection
of Oceans, Trees & Inhabitants) promotes textile recycling,
collecting 500 kg of cloth waste daily, offering recycled cloth
bags in exchange. The Plastic Waste Management Programme
at Bicholim, processes 60 to 65 tons of recyclable waste To know more
monthly, generating Rs. 5,00,000 – 5,50,000 in revenue and Contact
employing 42 workers. Goa has become the first state initiating
Ankit Yadav, IAS
the Deposit Refund System (DRS), under the amended Goa
Managing Director,
Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Act.
Goa Waste Management Corporation
[Link]@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

The success of Goa’s waste management model highlights its

potential for replication in other states with land constraints.
Further scalability can be achieved through expanding waste
treatment facilities, decentralized waste collection, community
participation, technology adoption, and policy implementation.
98
 Puducherry’s Legacy
Waste Remediation: 16.90
Acres of Land Reclaimed
Introduction

The Government of Puducherry, through its Local

Administration Department (LAD), has undertaken the
Legacy Waste Remediation Project to address accumulated
municipal solid waste (MSW) in the region. This initiative aims State/UT Puducherry
to remediate 8.93 metric tonnes of legacy waste and reclaim
16.90 acres of land using bio-mining and bio-remediation Pondicherry Municipality &
techniques. Urban Local Body Oulgaret Municipality – Cluster
Based
Activities Department/ Local Administration Department
Organisation (LAD), Government of Puducherry
The remediation process involved a topographic survey
to assess waste depth, followed by excavation, windrow
Duration
January 2022 to April 2023 &
turning, and waste processing. Legacy waste was separated October 2023 to July 2024
into fractions, including inert materials, compost, recyclables,
and refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Microorganisms were
used to degrade organic contaminants before excavation,
reducing toxicity and volume. To accelerate the process,
three advanced trommel units were installed. Technological
Impact
solutions were deployed for mapping, monitoring, and
assessing environmental parameters such as gas emissions, • Reduces hazardous waste and landfill
temperature, and leachate levels to ensure responsive and dependency.
effective waste management.
• Prevents pollution and protects
ecosystems.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Restores natural resources like soil,
A Closed-loop system focuses on reducing waste, reusing water, and air.
materials, and recycling resources to create a sustainable • Lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
cycle. Enhancing resource efficiency minimizes waste
• Improves public health by reducing
generation, lowers raw material consumption, and promotes exposure to hazardous substances.
responsible land use. Adopting a systemic thinking approach
ensures that waste remediation considers its interconnected • Restores ecosystem services such
environmental, economic, and social impacts, leading to more as water filtration and biodiversity
conservation.
sustainable and holistic waste management solutions.
• Facilitates economic development by
repurposing remediated sites.
Replicability and Scalability
• Increases property values, making areas
The project’s success can be replicated in other cities with attractive for investment.
similar contamination profiles, geology, and hydrology.
Scalability depends on achieving 100 percent processing of
To know more
legacy waste and ensuring continuous treatment of fresh
MSW. The Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Contact
Project at Kurumbapet Resource Recovery Site, operational S. Shakthyvel
since February 2024, demonstrates the viability of large- Director (Local Administration) &
scale waste processing and serves as a model for expansion Mission Director (SBM – Urban 2.0)
under SBM (U) 2.0. dirlad@[Link]

99
 From Dumpsite to Green
Space: A Model for
Uttarakhand’s Waste
Management
Introduction

The Dumpsite Remediation for Solid Waste Management

project is the first legacy waste clearance initiative in
Uttarakhand. The aim was to remediate and reclaim the State/UT Uttarakhand
dumpsite through bio-mining and bioremediation while
Urban Local Body Nagar Nigam Rudrapur
ensuring safe waste disposal and environmental restoration.
The project eliminated 2,55,000 MT of waste and transformed Department/
Urban Development Department
Organisation
the site into usable green space. It aligns with circular
economy principles by recovering recyclables, reducing Phase 1 (Feb 2020 – Oct 2022),
landfill dependency, and improving urban infrastructure. Phase 2 (Feb 2023 – June 2023),
Duration
The initiative was executed through collaborative efforts Phase 3 (Dec 2023 – May 2024),
involving municipal authorities, private partners, urban Phase 4 (April 2024 – July 2024)
planners, engineers, and the SWM department, ensuring
efficient coordination and long-term impact.
Impact

Activities Impact
The dumpsite remediation project utilizes techniques such as
advanced segregation, processing, and treatment of waste, • 100 percent land recovery, converting a
ensuring the recovery of valuable recyclables while mitigating hazardous dumpsite into a clean, green
soil and water contamination. Drone-based surveys park.
were conducted for precise legacy waste quantification • Significant reduction in soil and
and tracking. An engineered landfill was developed with groundwater contamination
proper lining and leachate management systems. A major • Reduction in GHG emissions by
achievement of the project was the reclamation of 9,794.7 preventing methane emissions from
sq. meters (~1 hectare) of land, which was transformed into open waste.
a green park with tree plantations and landscaped areas, • Improved water quality in the Kalyani
River, benefiting aquatic ecosystems.
promoting environmental sustainability.
• Reclaimed 1 hectare of land, increasing
Integration with Circular Economy its urban and commercial value
• Revenue generation through the sale of
This project focused on waste-to-value strategies through RDF and bio-soil.
the utilization of 13,552.91 MT of RDF, which was sent • Reduced municipal waste management
to Bahl Paper Mill, Kashipur, and Waste-to-Energy Plant, costs through efficient waste
Jabalpur for alternative fuel use. It helped to repurpose remediation.
70,000 MT of bio-soil that was used for landfilling low-
lying areas and sold to third parties for further use. Further,
10,054 MT of inert waste stored at Sailia Farm, Rudrapur, for To know more
future infrastructure needs.
Contact

Replicability and Scalability Naresh Durga Pal

Municipal Commissioner,
This model is already being replicated in Nagar Nigam Nagar Nigam Rudrapur
Roorkee and Nagar Nigam Kotdwar. Other Urban Local nagarnigamrudrapur@[Link]
Bodies (ULBs) can adopt this framework by integrating bio-
mining, resource recovery, and engineered landfill methods.

100
 Lucknow’s Green Energy:
Fresh Waste Processing
and Legacy Waste
Remediation
Introduction

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with

Bhumi Green Energy, has undertaken an initiative for Fresh State/UT Uttar Pradesh
Waste Processing and Legacy Waste Remediation. The
initiative is designed to manage 18,50,000 metric tons of Urban Local Body Lucknow Municipal Corporation
waste over three years, processing approximately 2100 TPD Department/
(tons per day). Organisation Bhumi Green Energy

Duration 3 years
Activities

A preliminary site assessment and preparation was

undertaken which included waste quantification and density
testing of dumpsites to determine the extent of landfill Impact
Impact
excavation required. The landfill is then zoned systematically
to facilitate phased excavation and efficient waste
processing. During excavation and screening, excavators and • Reduction in landfill burden, lower
trommel screens (6mm, 22mm) are deployed to separate greenhouse gas emissions, and
waste fractions The recovered by-products are strategically contribution to sustainable urban
utilized—6mm bio-soil is used for land reclamation and soil development.
enrichment, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is supplied to cement • Creation of employment opportunities,
industries like UltraTech, ACC, and Ambuja Cement, 22mm improved hygiene conditions, and
coarse fractions are repurposed for road construction and enhanced community participation in
landfill layering, and in various construction projects. The waste management.
reclaimed land is further treated, leveled, and compacted
• Revenue generation through the sale of
using bio-soil, and plantation drives are undertaken to restore
recyclables, compost, and RDF.
green cover and enhance biodiversity. Strict compliance and
monitoring protocols ensure adherence to Central Pollution
Control Board guidelines and Solid Waste Management Rules
2016, with periodic emissions monitoring and regulatory To know more
reporting. Contact

Shambhuraj Pawar
Integration with Circular Economy Bhumi Green Energy
lucknowbhumigreenenergy@[Link]
The project maximizes resource recovery by transforming
waste into economically valuable products such as compost,
recyclables, and RDF, reducing dependence on raw materials.

Replicability and Scalability

Public-private partnerships (PPP), investments from

industries, and technology-driven waste management
practices can make the initiative scalable across different
urban areas.

101
 Greening Barren
Lands: Rajkot’s Circular
Approach
Introduction

Gujarat’s Rajkot generates approximately 700 tonnes of

municipal solid waste per day all of which is dumped at the
Nakrawadi waste dumping site. Due to systemic gaps between
waste generation and processing, around 16,00,000 tonnes
of legacy waste has accumulated. To tackle this challenge, State/UT Gujarat
Rajkot Municipal Corporation led the charge to recover the Urban Local Body Rajkot Municipal Corporation
dumping site by converting it into a clean green urban forest.
Department/
Organisation Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Activities
Duration Ongoing
Legacy waste processing techniques using machines such as
screeners, splitters, and trommels. The waste was processed
into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), semi-compost, and other inert
materials. The RDF was transferred to Jamnagar’s waste-to-
energy power plant, the inert materials were sent to Secured Impact
Landfill (SLF) site, and 50,000+ tonnes of semi-compost was
utilised for levelling the land and to help replenish and enrich
the soil. Approximately 2,35,000 native and fast-growing tree • Afforestation reduced airborne
species were planted. The Miyawaki plantation technique pollutants and improved air quality.
was used. A 12 km pipeline was laid to connect the land to the • High oxygen-releasing and carbon-
Gauridad Sewage Treatment Plant to initiate the supply of adsorbing species were planted to
secondary treated water for irrigation. Water-harvesting ponds, counteract the effects of methane and
carbon dioxide emissions.
drip irrigation systems and sprinkler systems were further
• Fragrant plant species such as Neem,
installed to support groundwater recharge.
Champa, and Jasmine were planted to
reduce landfill odours.
Integration with Circular Economy • Created natural habitats for birds and
insects, promoting biodiversity.
This project demonstrates a circular economy approach
by transforming a degraded dumpsite into a thriving eco- • Encouraged community engagement
friendly urban space with enhanced biodiversity, promoting through the introduction of walking trails
sustainability whilst addressing the challenge of legacy and recreational green spaces.
waste. The waste was processed into usable materials and
valuable resources for the benefit of the 30-acre green
transformation initiative.
To know more

Replicability and Scalability Contact

Dipal Kathad
The success of this project offers a potential for replication in
Manager, Solid Waste Management,
other cities and regions that are facing challenges with legacy
Rajkot Municipal Corporation
waste management, land degradation, and environmental
ieccellrmc@[Link]
restoration. The use of secondary treated water for irrigation
via a dedicated pipeline can be replicated in areas with water
scarcity, providing an efficient, sustainable water management
solution. The integration of waste-to-energy systems, using
RDF as a fuel source for power generation, can be adopted by
other municipalities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels .

102
 Reclaiming Garbage
Vulnerable Points:
Ghaziabad’s Green
Initiative
Introduction

The Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) has taken an initiative

to remediate Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVP). Key State/UT Uttar Pradesh
stakeholders include GNN as the lead authority, municipal
departments handling urban planning and environmental Urban Local Body Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
services, environmental agencies and NGOs, local Department/
communities, horticulture experts and contractors. Organisation Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam

Activities

The land remediation and allocation initiative focuses on Impact

identifying and rehabilitating secondary and GVP points,
freeing up 193,643.53 sq. meters of encroached land across
16 locations in Indirapuram and Pratap Vihar. This reclaimed • Conserves resources, minimizes waste,
land is repurposed to establish 193 nurseries spanning reduces GHG emissions, improves air
145,132 sq. meters. These nurseries are maintained with quality, and preserves biodiversity.
proper horticultural practices, ensuring the annual donation
• Enhances community well-being and
of 145,132 saplings to GNN . A key component of this project
participation; increases urban green
is the development of Miyawaki forests, with 3,43,461 cover and aesthetic appeal.
trees planted to restore the urban ecosystem. Ongoing
management involves regular assessment and optimization • Generates significant revenue (INR
of nursery and forest operations, collaborating with 8,707,920 annually) supporting further
environmental experts for sustainable improvements. urban greening projects.

Integration with Circular Economy

To know more
The integration of a circular economy was ensured through Contact
repurposing waste materials and encroached land into
Vikramaditya Singh Malik, IAS
valuable green spaces. Degraded areas are transformed into
Municipal Commissioner,
thriving nurseries and dense Miyawaki forests, enhancing
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
urban biodiversity and sustainability. A sustainable loop is
gzb.-[Link]@[Link]
established by reinvesting revenue generated from nurseries
into further urban greening efforts, reinforcing long-term
ecological and economic benefits.

Replicability and Scalability

By integrating waste management with urban greening, it

serves as a good practice for sustainable city development.
Scalability is achievable through the expansion of nurseries,
forming strategic partnerships with private entities, research
institutions, and NGOs to enhance capacity. Securing
additional funding through green bonds and public-private
partnerships can further strengthen financial sustainability.

103
 From Dumpsite to Modern
Facility: Tangmarg-
Gulmarg Redefining
Waste Management
Introduction

The Municipal Committee Tangmarg-Gulmarg has

transformed an old legacy waste site through the process of State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
bioremediation. With 90 percent of the construction work
Urban Local Body
Municipal Committee Tangmarg-
completed for the Sanitation Complex, providing amenities
Gulmarg
for sanitation workers, and promoting worker welfare.
Department/ Municipal Committee Tangmarg-
Activities
Organisation Gulmarg

A door-to-door waste collection system was implemented

Duration Ongoing
with source segregation, dedicated collection points, and
worker training. A joint waste management plant with Kunzer
Municipal Committee facilitated plastic waste sorting, recycling,
and revenue generation while promoting responsible disposal. Impact
Scientific composting supported sustainable farming, and
bioremediation transformed the legacy waste site into a
sanitation complex with modern facilities—the first initiative • Reduction in waste disposal costs and
of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir. landfill management expenses.
• Reduction in landfill waste and
restoration of degraded land.
Integration with Circular Economy • Improvement in soil health through
the promotion and implementation of
The Tangmarg-Gulmarg Municipal Committee has integrated
organic composting.
circular economy principles by collecting, processing,
recycling, and selling waste while generating and utilizing • Better living conditions for sanitation
compost. workers.
• Improved public participation in waste
management initiatives.
Replicability and Scalability • Increased employment opportunities
This initiative can be scaled by expanding compost networks, in waste collection, processing, and
composting.
bioremediation projects, waste processing facilities, and
industry partnerships for sustainable waste management. • Revenue is generated from the sale of
plastic waste and compost.

To know more

Contact

Mir Tafveez
Executive Officer,
Municipal Committee Tangmarg-Gulmarg
ulbk@[Link]

104
 WASTEWATER
MANAGEMENT
Wet or organic waste constitutes a large proportion of our daily waste stream, across
industrial, commercial, and domestic spaces. Effective organic and wet waste management
is crucial for achieving a sustainable urban environment. Emphasis on source segregation
by using differently coloured bins for wet and dry waste (green and blue respectively)
has enabled improved waste management across states, even at the household level.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE promotes a lifestyle
that protects the environment through individual actions. For organic and wet waste,
methods like composting are gaining prominence. Initiatives like the India Organic Waste
Management Programme (IOWMP) have successfully implemented innovative biogas
technologies to enhance waste management and energy production in rural and urban
areas. By integrating these practices into our daily lives and leveraging government
initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, India can effectively manage organic waste,
reduce environmental impacts, and foster a more sustainable future.

105
 Visakhapatnam’s
Liquid Gold: Recycling
Wastewater for a
Sustainable Future
Introduction

Water scarcity is a growing concern, but Visakhapatnam has

taken an innovative leap by recycling treated wastewater
State/UT Andhra Pradesh
for industrial and urban use. Since 2021, GVMC’s initiative Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal
Urban Local Body
has been ensuring that every drop counts, reducing Corporation (GVMC)
freshwater dependency while promoting sustainable water
management. This initiative is the combined effort between Duration Operational since 2021
GVMC, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB)
and local industries and urban landscaping units.

Activities Impact
GVMC installed Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with
tertiary treatment capabilities, enabling the recycling of 30 million litres of wastewater recycled
treated wastewater. This water is now supplied to industries, daily, reducing pressure on freshwater
municipal parks, and roadside plantations. Public awareness sources.
campaigns were also launched to encourage water
conservation efforts. Ensures water availability for municipal
green spaces, improving urban aesthetics
and quality of life.
Integration with Circular Economy
Local industries benefit from a reliable
By reusing treated wastewater, the initiative reduces the water source at a lower cost, making
strain on freshwater resources while improving urban water operations more sustainable.
sustainability. The recycled water supports industries and
enhances greenery, ensuring that wastewater is not just
disposed of but reused effectively.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact
This model is easily replicable in cities with high water Dr. Dasaradharamreddy,
demand and sewage treatment facilities. With modifications, Chief Operating Officer,
smaller municipalities can implement mini-STPs for localised Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC)
water recycling. visakhapatnamsmartcity@[Link]

106
 Zero Discharge,
Maximum Impact – Navi
Mumbai’s Water Reuse
Success
Introduction

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has

undertaken an initiative to ensure 100 percent wastewater
treatment and reuse initiative to address rising water State/UT Maharashtra
demand and environmental concerns. Navi Mumbai Municipal
Urban Local Body
Corporation (NMMC)
Activities
Navi Mumbai Municipal
Department/
Navi Mumbai has developed a 490.7 km sewer network Organisation Corporation, Water Supply and
and seven advanced STPs using SBR C-Tech technology Sewerage Department
with a 454 MLD capacity in Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Sanpada,
Duration Since 2023
Koparkhairane, Ghansoli, and Airoli. Three Tertiary
Treatment Plants (TTPs) at Koparkhairane, Airoli, and
Nerul (45 MLD total) and an upcoming 7.5 MLD TTP at
Belapur supply high-quality treated water for industrial and
municipal use. Impact
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission and AMRUT scheme,
NMMC enhanced sanitation infrastructure by installing
• Treating and reusing wastewater
household, community, and public toilets and upgrading
prevents contamination of water bodies,
the sewerage network. A 177 km distribution network enhances biodiversity, and improves
was established to supply treated water to MIDC under urban water quality.
a strategic agreement, involving Navi Mumbai Municipal
Corporation (NMMC), Maharashtra Pollution Control • The initiative has also enhanced
public health by reducing waterborne
Board (MPCB), Maharashtra Industrial Development
diseases and ensuring a cleaner urban
Corporation (MIDC), Local industries, residents and
environment.
Agencies using treated water.
• Supplying treated water to MIDC is
expected to generate RS4,940,000,000
Integration with Circular Economy in revenue over 15 years, reducing costs
associated with pollution control and
Over 30 percent of treated wastewater is repurposed for
fresh water supply.
gardening, road cleaning, washing buses, and industrial
processes, reducing the burden on freshwater sources. The
use of advanced technologies such as SBR, ultra-filtration,
and ultraviolet disinfection and regular testing at NABL- To know more
accredited laboratories ensures high-quality treated water
suitable for non-potable applications. Contact

Arvind Shinde
Replicability and Scalability Additional City Engineer– Water Supply and Sewerage,
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)
Cities can initiate similar projects by developing STPs addl_ce_civil@[Link]
and TTPs, establishing agreements with industries for
water reuse. NMMC plans to expand its infrastructure by
developing additional TTPs, ensuring a more extensive
impact on urban water sustainability.

107
 Recycling Waste Water
to Recharge Porur Lake:
Chennai Paves the Way
Introduction

Chennai in Tamil Nadu, through the efforts of the Chennai

Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB)
is the first city in the country to effectively process, filter,
and recycle its wastewater. In 2019, Chennai set up India’s
first Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis (TTRO) plants
State/UT Tamil Nadu
in Kodungaiyur and Koyambedu having a 45 megalitre per Urban Local Body Greater Chennai Corporation
day (MLD) capacity that is expandable to 60 MLD. Further,
in 2022, a Tertiary Treatment Ultrafiltration Plant (TTUF) to Department/ Chennai Metropolitan Water
treat and reuse wastewater and recharge local waterbodies
Organisation Supply and Sewerage Board
at Nesapakkam was additionally set up by the CMWSSB in Duration 2019 onwards
collaboration with IIT Madras.

Activities

The TTUF plant supplies tertiary treated water to recharge Impact

the local Porur lake, which is a crucial source of drinking
water for local residents. With a 10 MLD capacity, sewage • Reduces water pollution through
is processed in the plant through a Sequence Batch Reactor constant filtration and quality checks.
process to remove toxins and bacteria. Subsequently, via a • Improves and replenishes groundwater
tertiary treatment, finer contaminants are removed to further levels.
purify and disinfect the water as one of the key filtration • Motivates industries to establish their
steps necessitated before the water is safe to pour into the hubs in Chennai due to greater water
aforementioned lake. Water quality is monitored online, security, facilitating economic growth.
tested in local and IIT Madras labs, and assessed through a
fish pond for visible changes. The two TTRO plants use 28 km
and 6 km pipelines to supply 45 MLD of treated wastewater to
500+ industrial units in Manali and Sriperumbudur corridors. To know more

Contact
Integration with Circular Economy
C. Joyce Sumathi
The plants enable the existence of a decentralised closed Superintending Engineer, Wastewater
loop system, generating a sustainable and renewable source Treatment & Reuse
of water that replenishes, instead of diminishing natural Greater Chennai Corporation
waterbodies. The process recharges lakes and sustains sewwtr@[Link]
groundwater levels, while also supplying water to industries
and local communities, as required.

Replicability and Scalability

This methodology may be effective in severely drought prone

and water-scarce areas across India. Domestic, commercial
and industrial wastewater should also be targeted for reuse
and recycling within such a model if replicated, to ensure that
natural water resources are not depleted.

108
 Ghaziabad’s TSTP Project
– Advancing Wastewater
Reuse for Sustainable
Urban Development
Introduction

The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has initiated the

Indirapuram Tertiary Sewerage Treatment Plant (TSTP). This State/UT Uttar Pradesh
TSTP enhances water reuse and promotes environmental
sustainability while contributing to the national Water+ Urban Local Body Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
certification goals. The project, valued at INR 3,194,000,000, Department/
supplies treated water to the Sahibabad Industrial Area, Organisation Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
reducing reliance on freshwater sources.

Activities

Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) pioneered the issuance Impact

of India’s first certified Green Municipal Bond, securing
INR 1,500,000,000 for the project. The Tertiary Sewage
Treatment Plant (TSTP), with a 95 km pipeline, delivers 40 • Reduces carbon footprint by
MLD of treated water to 1,400 industrial units. The initiative minimizing freshwater extraction and
untreated sewage discharge. Improves
incorporates advanced membrane filtration technologies
groundwater recharge and curtails
such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and
greenhouse gas emissions.
reverse osmosis to ensure high-quality water treatment.
Implemented under a public-private Hybrid Annuity Model • Supports industrial development by
(HAM), the project receives 40 percent municipal funding providing a reliable alternative water
and 60 percent bank financing. GNN has contracted with source, stabilizing economic growth
over 800 firms, including Tata and Bharat Electricals Ltd. and job creation. The high water quality
standards are ensured as part of this
(BEL), to supply 9.5 MLD of tertiary treated water, reducing
initiative. This has led to reducing
the carbon footprint and enhancing groundwater recharge.
contamination risks and supporting
public health initiatives aligned with
Integration with Circular Economy Water+ certification goals.

The Indirapuram TTP promotes circular economy principles • Raised INR 1,500,000,000 through
by ensuring wastewater is treated and reused for industrial India’s first certified Green Municipal
purposes, minimizing reliance on freshwater sources. The Bond, setting a replicable financing
model for sustainable infrastructure
treated water meets potable-grade standards, enhancing
projects.
sustainable water resource management. Public-private
collaboration through the HAM model ensures operational
efficiency and long-term sustainability.
To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact

The initiative presents a scalable model for other urban Vikramaditya Singh Malik, IAS
municipalities to upgrade existing sewage treatment facilities Municipal Commissioner
with advanced membrane filtration technologies. The Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
success of GNN’s Green Bond issuance provides a financial gzb.-[Link]@[Link]
blueprint for similar projects nationwide. State-level policies
and incentives for wastewater reuse can further facilitate
widespread adoption.
109
 Rejuvenating
Wastewater: Karad Finds
A New Resource

Introduction

With a growing urban population and increasing pressure

on freshwater resources, Karad Municipal Council (KMC)
embarked on an initiative to ensure that treated wastewater
is effectively reused rather than discharged into water
State/UT Maharashtra
bodies. By implementing advanced treatment technologies, Urban Local Body Karad Municipal Council
Karad has successfully minimised waste, conserved
Department/
natural resources, and generated economic value from its Organisation Karad Municipal Council
wastewater.
Duration Since 2018
Activities

The initiative is anchored in the efficient collection and

treatment of wastewater through an extensive 79.12 km Impact
sewer network, ensuring 100 percent connectivity to
households, commercial establishments, and public facilities.
At its core, the city’s Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) employs • By preventing untreated wastewater
MMBR technology to treat 9 million liters per day (MLD) from entering rivers, the project
of wastewater through primary, secondary, and tertiary safeguards aquatic ecosystems and
processes. biodiversity. The reduction in freshwater
extraction mitigates water scarcity, and
A key outcome of this initiative is the complete reuse of lower fertiliser dependency minimises
treated wastewater. Instead of wasting it, Karad redistributes chemical runoff into the environment.
it for agricultural irrigation, public landscaping and municipal Additionally, the project reduces
services like street cleaning and dust suppression, and greenhouse gas emissions associated
decorative fountains. The project involves Karad Municipal with water treatment and distribution.
Council, Nature and Care Scientific Solutions Ltd, Pritisangam • The initiative has improved public
Co-operative Water Supply Society and local farmers and hygiene and sanitation, leading to better
community members. health outcomes. The engagement of
local stakeholders fosters community
Integration with Circular Economy ownership and ensures long-term
sustainability.
The reuse of treated water for irrigation reduces dependence • The project has reduced municipal
on freshwater sources and minimises pollution in natural expenses related to water procurement
water bodies. It also lessens the reliance on chemical and waste disposal. Farmers benefit from
fertilisers, thereby promoting eco-friendly farming practices. free nutrient-rich water, lowering their
agricultural input costs and enhancing
Replicability and Scalability productivity.

Expansion can be achieved by extending the sewer network,

To know more
upgrading treatment capacities, and integrating smart
monitoring technologies such as IoT and AI for real-time data Contact
analysis. Strengthening partnerships with the private sector Ashish Rokade
can further optimise water distribution. City Coordinator, Health Department,
Karad Municipal Council
karadnagarparishad@[Link]

110
 Promoting Improved
Sanitation: Warangal’s
Circular Economy Approach
Introduction

The Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC)

has undertaken a critical initiative to establish Faecal
Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs). As part of the Liquid
Waste Management (LWM) component of SBM 2.0, the
safe collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of State/UT Telangana
faecal sludge is emphasised. This initiative thus promotes
Urban Local Body
Greater Warangal Municipal
the sustainable reuse of by-products such as treated water
Corporation
and compost, contributing to better sanitation, reduced
contamination, and improved public health. Department/ Commissioner and Director of
Organisation Municipal Administration
Activities: Duration Since 2018
Launched at the Sanitation Resource Park in Am-
mavaripeta, the initiative currently serves a popula-
tion of 9,60,000 (as of 2023). Two FSTPs were estab-
lished, integrating innovative treatment technologies Impact
to sustainably address faecal sludge disposal and reuse.
The 15KLD Pyrolysis Treatment Plant utilises pyrolysis tech- • The initiative converts waste into
nology to treat septage by converting sludge in to ash, which compost and other value-added products,
is then repurposed as a soil conditioner for agricultural use. generating revenue through their sale
The 10KLD Geo-Tube Technology Plant employs a geo-tube while also reducing costs for ULBs that
system where faecal sludge is deposited into specialised use these products in urban green spaces.
geo-textile bags that allow water to filter through while re- • Over 8 million litres of faecal waste have
taining solid waste. The separated effluent undergoes fur- been treated, ensuring safer sanitation
practices and preventing environmental
ther treatment, while the dried sludge is processed into fer-
pollution. The reuse of treated water
tilizer. This fertilizer is then used in urban nurseries, median
for urban greenery contributes to water
plantations, and public parks, reducing reliance on chemical conservation, while the reduction in
fertilizers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. untreated waste disposal minimises
contamination risks.
Integration with Circular Economy
• The initiative has improved sanitation
The initiative aligns with circular economy principles by and hygiene for residents while creating
focusing on resource recovery and waste minimisation. sustainable livelihood opportunities
for SHG members involved in plant
Faecal sludge is converted into ash and treated water from
operations and maintenance.
the FSTPs is repurposed for gardening and landscaping. These
efforts close the loop on waste treatment, transforming waste
into useful by-products and contributing to environmental
sustainability. To know more

Contact
Replicability and Scalability
Aswini Tanaji Wakade, IAS
The strategies of innovative treatment technologies, Municipal Commissioner
stakeholder engagement, and community involvement, can Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation
be replicated in other urban areas facing similar sanitation [Link]@[Link]
challenges. This approach is scalable for cities that rely on
non-sewered systems or a mix of sanitation systems.

111
 Sustainable Sanitation:
Promoting Safe FSSM
Practices in Telangana

Introduction

Sircilla Municipality has implemented a comprehensive

initiative to ensure the sustainable and safe management
of faecal sludge. The primary objectives include scheduled
desludging of all septic tanks, environmentally sustainable State/UT Telangana
treatment of faecal sludge, promoting hygienic practices, and Urban Local Body Sircilla Municpality
enhancing community awareness and stakeholder capacity.
Department/
Organisation Sircilla Municpality
Activities
Duration Since 2021
Sircilla’s 18 KLD Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP),
established in 2019, uses biological treatment for sustainable
waste management. The municipality introduced scheduled
desludging across 39 wards, treating over 1.3 million litres of
septage. Private desludging operators were licensed, trained, Impact
and equipped with PPE, while capacity-building programs
raised public awareness. A robust monitoring system with • Reuse of treated sludge supports resource
GPS tracking ensures transparency. Treated sludge is conservation and reduces reliance on
reused in urban nurseries, plantations, and parks, reducing chemical fertilizers. Regular desludging
chemical fertilizer use, with 2.2 lakh litres repurposed so far, prevents septic tank overflows and
reinforcing circular economy principles. mitigates environmental contamination.
Biological treatment lowers greenhouse
gas emissions compared to traditional
Integration with Circular Economy waste disposal.
The initiative follows circular economy principles by • Enhances community health by reducing
transforming faecal sludge into a valuable resource. The waterborne diseases and improving
biological treatment process converts sludge into compost, cleanliness. Training programs ensure safe
which is then utilised in urban green spaces, including sludge handling, protecting public health.
nurseries, median plantations, and public parks. This serves as
• Cost savings for urban landscaping by
a natural soil conditioner, improving soil quality while reducing
using treated sludge instead of chemical
dependency on chemical fertilizers. By repurposing waste fertilizers.
into useful products, the initiative minimises environmental
impact and promotes sustainable urban greening.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

The initiative can be replicated through a structure Contact
approach through adoption of scheduled desludging D. Lavanya
policies, low-maintenance nature-based treatment solutions, Municipal Commissioner
and comprehensive capacity-building programmes for Sircilla Municpality
stakeholders. mcsrcl2007@[Link]

112
 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
AND COMMUNITY-
BASED INITIATIVES
India’s vast waste management initiatives consistently stresses upon the importance of
establishing public participation and community-based waste management practices in
order to successfully harness and entrench a sense of social responsibility towards waste.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (clean India Mission), as the world’s largest behaviour change
movement, has fostered the nation’s sense of collective responsibility towards its waste.
Through dedicated capacity building activities, public awareness campaigns, and delivering
targeted training in waste management, Urban Local Bodies across India have tapped into
the nation’s most powerful resource - its people. From the elderly of the country, to its youth,
the vision and mission for a Clean India has urged the deliverance of immediate, consistent,
and innovative actions across the states. Civilians continue to respond to the clarion call
from the Prime Minister for cleanliness, forming localised and informal groups to tackle
waste every day.

113
 Patna’s Pink Material
Recovery Facility:
Empowering Women
Through Employment
Introduction

The Pink Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Patna,

established in August 2023, is a pioneering initiative aimed State/UT Bihar
at integrating women into the formal waste management
system. Located in Ward 34 of Patna Municipal Corporation, Urban Local Body Patna Municipal Corporation
this micro-sized facility has a processing capacity of 2 Department/
TPD (tonnes per day) of dry waste. The initiative not only Organisation Patna Municipal Corporation
improves waste segregation and recycling efficiency but also
empowers women by providing them with stable income
Duration August 2023 - Ongoing
opportunities in a sector traditionally dominated by men.

Activities

The Pink MRF is fully operated by women workers who

Impact
collect, segregate, and channelize various types of dry waste
from multiple sources, including door-to-door collections,
• Enhances overall waste segregation
bulk waste generators (BWGs), ragpickers, and citizen efficiency, leading to improved recycling
contributions. The segregated recyclables such as plastics, rates and reduced environmental impact.
paper, metal, and glass are then sold to large aggregators
and recycling industries in Patna. The women workers • Provides economic empowerment
receive structured training in waste handling, segregation by increasing women’s earnings by
techniques, and workplace safety, ensuring operational approximately 20 percent compared to
their previous informal sector roles.
efficiency while maintaining a safe work environment.
• Ensures better working conditions, with
fixed hours, stable income, and access to
Integration with Circular Economy social security schemes such as PMJJBY
and PMSBY.
The Pink MRF follows a sustainable circular economy model
by enhancing the value chain of dry waste recovery. By
effectively sorting and processing recyclable materials, the
facility reduces landfill waste, promotes resource recovery, To know more
and contributes to the production of secondary raw materials.
Contact
The initiative fosters an inclusive waste management
approach by formally recognizing women’s contributions in Mr Dilshad Ahmad
this sector. Climate Change Advisor,
GIZ India
[Link]@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

The Pink MRF serves as a model for other cities aiming to

integrate informal waste workers, particularly women, into
structured waste management systems. The model can be
scaled up across other wards and cities with government and
municipal support, leveraging self-help groups (SHGs) and
local waste management enterprises.

114
 The Baini Sena
Initiative: Women-Led
Waste Management in
Uttarakhand
Introduction

The Baini Sena initiative, focuses on women’s participation in

sanitation, waste management, and user charge collection. It
State/UT Uttarakhand
empowers women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) while
ensuring efficient solid waste management and improved Urban Local Body Urban Development Department
grievance redressal mechanisms. The initiative strengthens
urban sanitation monitoring and revenue generation for
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), aligning with gender equality
and sustainable waste management goals. Key stakeholders
involved are Nagar Nigam Haldwani, Women Self Help Impact
Impact
Groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban
Livelihoods Mission (DAY NULM) programme, Door-to-Door
Waste Collection Team and the Community. • Improved sanitation monitoring and
waste management system.
Activities • Ensured cleaner streets, better hygiene,
and pollution reduction.
The initiative involves induction training for SHGs on
sanitation regulations, user charge collection, documentation, • Increased women participation in
sanitation and urban governance.
and public relations. SHGs are assigned specific wards for
sanitation monitoring, and identity cards are issued for formal • Established an effective grievance
recognition. A dedicated control room supports grievance redressal mechanism.
redressal and coordination. Nodal officers, supervisors, and • Strengthened community awareness and
data operators assist in day-to-day operations. The Baini engagement in waste segregation.
Sena reports waste collection issues and cleanliness levels,
supports public awareness campaigns on waste segregation, • Monthly user charge collection increased
from INR 6,00,000 to INR 32,00,000.
and enforces bans on single-use plastics.
• More than 500 women from SHGs
employed, earning an average of INR
Integration with Circular Economy
14,000/month.
Through this initiative, 85 percent of households are engaged • Reduced HR costs for Nagar Nigam in
in waste management, improving door-to-door collection waste management.
services. SHGs ensured 100 percent waste collection from
streets and homes. The initiative increases user charge
collection, reducing municipal expenses while fostering a
To know more
self-sustaining waste management system.
Contact

Replicability and Scalability L.N. Mishra

Additional Director,
The initiative has been successfully replicated in 15 Urban Urban Development Department, Rajasthan
Local Bodies in Uttarakhand through the convergence of directorudd@[Link]
DAY-NULM and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) schemes. It
can be scaled in urban and rural areas by forming SHGs under
the NULM. The model helps improve revenue collection for
municipalities while reducing administrative costs.

115
 Promoting Sustainable
Travel for All: Haryana
Opts for Green
Messaging
Introduction

The Municipal Corporation of Panchkula in Haryana has

implemented a unique social awareness campaign to
State/UT Haryana
effectively disseminate information about sustainable travel Municipal Corporation of
Urban Local Body
and eco-friendly waste management practices. Spreading Panchkula
the message of sustainability on wheels, the Municipal
Corporation has promoted the good practice of using bicycles Department/ Municipal Corporation of
as a preferred mode of local travel, reducing greenhouse gas
Organisation Panchkula
emissions, thus promoting the principles of circularity and Duration 1 year
encouraging environmentally conscious decision-making
within all communities.

Activities
Impact
The bicycles are available to rent for a nominal price. Within
the duration of the awareness campaign, messages about
the importance of source segregation were printed onto the • Minimizes the amount of waste created,
bicycles, to help raise visibility about inculcating good waste and sent to landfills or incinerators.
management practices into the everyday lives of the citizens.
• Minimizes the volume of greenhouse
gases emitted.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Encourages social responsibility and
Cycling is an environmentally-friendly mode of transpor- awareness about the importance
tation. It is often long-lasting, or can be effectively repaired of opting for eco-friendly modes of
and maintained over a long period of time, releases no toxins transport, while also helping to spread
or greenhouse gases, and is thereby exceedingly energy ef- the word about source segregation and
ficient. It does not deplete natural resources and therefore effective waste management.
supports several circular economy principles. This includes,
ensuring eco-friendly product design to ensure product lon-
gevity to minimize waste accumulation, emphasising upon
product durability and the possibility of its repair, and also To know more
ensuring that it is a green mode of transport that exudes a
minimal carbon footprint. Contact

Sachin Dhiman
Replicability and Scalability Junior Engineer
Municipal Corporation Panchkula
In urban cities, bicycle-sharing modules can be set up and mcpanchkula@[Link]
the services be made available at a nominal cost. Sustainable
transportation should be encouraged especially for short or
medium length distances, perhaps linking key areas in the
city. Dedicated bicycle lanes should be constructed, to enable
safety and security for all those availing the service.

116
 Bags of Change:
Chattisgarh Women
Tackling Plastic Pollution
Introduction

Ek Kadam is a socially responsible organization dedicated to

environmental sustainability and women’s empowerment.
With a strong focus on waste reduction and skill development,
it aims to create employment opportunities while combating
plastic pollution. The initiative primarily involves training
State/UT Chhattisgarh
women in making eco-friendly paper and cloth bags, reducing
Urban Local Body
Municipal Corporation
plastic usage, and promoting sustainable alternatives. Rajnandgaon
Ek-Kadam NGO in collaboration
Activities Department/
Organisation with Rajnandgaon Municipal
The initiative follows a structured approach to capacity Corporation
building and waste management, ensuring active participation Duration Since 2016
from women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and community
members. Since its launch in December 2016, over 45 SHG
women have been empowered through specialized training in
paper and cloth bag-making, utilizing discarded newspapers
and surplus cloth materials. Impact
Old newspapers are collected and repurposed into paper
bags, and materials sourced from Surat’s sari factories • The initiative has significantly reduced
are repurposed into cloth. For paper bags the women are plastic waste, preventing the usage of
compensated at a rate of INR 35 per kilogram and for cloth millions of plastic bags and promoting
bags based on the weight of bags produced, earning more eco-friendly alternatives. The reuse
of discarded newspapers and fabric
than Rs. 15,000 individually. These bags are then distributed
materials conserves resources, minimizes
to various businesses, including hotels, offering an eco-
landfill waste, and reduces carbon
friendly alternative to plastic. Since the initiative’s inception, footprints.
over 1,70,000 paper and cloth bags have been produced and
sold, generating a revenue of INR 6,80,000, preventing the • It has empowered women by providing
use of approximately 20,00,000 plastic bags. them with financial independence and
enhancing their skills in sustainable
entrepreneurship.
Integration with Circular Economy
• The program has generated significant
The initiative aligns with the principles of a circular economy income for SHG women, strengthening
by emphasizing recycling, reuse, and value-added products. their economic stability. The success of
By repurposing discarded materials into usable goods, the the initiative has also attracted additional
financial support through advertisements
initiative minimises waste generation and extends the life
placed on the bags, ensuring long-term
cycle of raw materials. The project promotes a zero-waste
sustainability.
approach by creating market-driven products that replace
harmful plastic alternatives, reducing the ecological footprint.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

Contact
Ek Kadam’s model can be easily replicated across India and Mrs. Malay Jain
beyond. With minimal investment, training programs, and Founder
community participation, similar initiatives can be launched Ek-Kadam NGO
in urban and rural areas. jainmalay19@[Link]

117
 Delhi’s Zero-Waste
Circular Bank: Engaging
Students in Sustainable
Waste Management
Introduction

The Zero Waste Circular Solution (ZWC) Bank for

Schools initiative promotes student engagement in waste State/UT Delhi
management by encouraging students to deposit recyclable Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation of Delhi
waste—plastic, paper, and e-waste—into a ZWC Bank Account
at their schools. Their contributions are digitally tracked, Department/ Department of Environment and
earning environmental points for their contributions. The Organisation Management Services
project fosters awareness, accountability, and environmental
Duration Since Dec 2020
stewardship among young learners.

Activities

The initiative has onboarded 45 schools, engaging over Impact

38,000 students in active waste management. In addition
to dry waste collection, the program integrates on-campus
composting, ensuring that wet waste is converted into • Supports national sustainability goals
manure, further closing the waste loop. The initiative actively such as Swachh Bharat and Mission
involves teachers, school students, NGOs, and zonal officials LiFE. Reduces plastic waste pollution
to create a collaborative and scalable waste management by integrating efficient collection
model. and recycling systems. It enhances
composting efforts, reducing organic
waste disposal in landfills.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Teaches responsibility to students
Through this initiative over 1,800,557 kg of dry waste and promotes sustainability by waste
has been collected, of which 527,141 kg of plastic waste is segregation and recycling. Encourages
diverted for recycling. Wet waste is processed into organic innovation by motivating students to find
manure, reducing landfill dependency and supporting local creative waste repurposing solutions.
green initiatives. The initiative instills long-term waste
segregation habits in students, reinforcing sustainability and
waste reduction practices.
To know more

Replicability and Scalability Contact

Vandana Rao, IAS

MCD aims to expand the Zero-Waste School Program
Deputy Commissioner, City SP
across all municipal schools, ensuring broader adoption of
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
waste segregation and sustainable management practices.
mcdswachhsurvekshan@[Link]
This model can be replicated in other urban educational
institutions by integrating digital waste tracking, structured
collection systems, and behavioral change interventions.

118
 Interschool Recycling
Championship:
Promoting Circular
Economy in Delhi
Introduction

The Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (Interschool Recycling

Championship) encourages students to practice responsible State/UT Delhi
waste disposal, earn rewards, and foster long-term
environmental awareness by integrating recycling into their Urban Local Body Municipal Corporation of Delhi
daily routines.
New Delhi Municipal Council
Department/ (NDMC) Public Health
Activities Organisation Department and E Sree
The program has successfully engaged more than 12,000 Foundation (ITC WOW Initiative)
students from over 35 NDMC schools, collecting 3,000 kg of Duration 6 month
dry waste till December 2024. The championship is designed
as a waste exchange model, where students deposit dry waste
such as paper, plastic, and e-waste in their school’s recycling
bank in exchange for stationery items like notebooks, pens,
erasers, and colors. Students who contribute the most receive
Impact
certificates, fostering a spirit of environmental stewardship
and healthy competition. Additionally, interactive workshops • Reduces waste-related pollution and
and awareness sessions are conducted to educate students promotes sustainable waste disposal
on waste segregation, sustainable waste disposal, and the practices.
importance of a circular economy. • Diverts waste from landfills into
recycling streams, optimizing material
reuse.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Reduces municipal waste generation and
The initiative promotes a closed-loop system by encouraging promotes efficient recycling.
waste collection, segregation, and recycling. Used or • Encourages student participation in
discarded dry waste is taken to MRF Center from where it is environmental conservation.
sorted and sent to MRF for further segregation and then to • Provides equitable access to essential
an authorized recycler- M/ S Vishal Paper Mills, Patiala into stationery through recycling incentives.
valuable items, fostering a mindset of reuse and resource • Cultivates environmental consciousness
optimization. By embedding recycling into student habits, among students, teachers, and parents.
the program aligns with circular economy principles and
sustainable consumption practices.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

Contact
This model can be replicated across municipal bodies, private
schools, and other educational institutions within the NDMC Dr. Shakuntala Shrivastava
jurisdiction. Partnering with corporate CSR programs to I/C Swachh Survekshan, Public Health Department,
support large-scale recycling initiatives can be another way NDMC
to scale this, especially by enhancing incentives through [Link]@[Link]
additional rewards and recognitions.

119
 Delhi’s Zero Waste Colony:
A Community-Driven
Waste Management
Initiative
Introduction

The Zero Waste Colony Initiative streamlines municipal solid

waste (MSW) management to reduce waste disposal costs, State/UT Delhi
promote decentralized composting, and enhance community
participation in sustainable waste management.
Urban Local Body
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
(MCD)
Activities Department/ Department of Environment
MCD has declared 625 colonies as Zero Waste Colonies,
Organisation Management Services (DEMS)
achieving 100 percent waste segregation at source and in- Duration Since September 2022
house composting through methods like pit composting,
drum composting, aero bins, and organic waste converters
(OWC). Waste is classified into wet, dry, sanitary, domestic
hazardous, and e-waste categories for efficient processing.
The initiative actively involves zonal officials, RWAs, market Impact
trade associations, youth groups, and NGOs, fostering a
large-scale community-led approach.
• Reduces landfill burden and mitigates
environmental pollution.
Integration with Circular Economy
• Promotes composting and recycling,
The initiative integrates with the circular economy through decreasing municipal solid waste
reducing transportation costs and landfill dependency, generation.
processing wet waste at the community level to generate • Encourages proactive community
compost for local use. Dry waste is directed to recyclers, while engagement in sustainable waste
residual waste is managed by MCD’s authorized agencies. management.
Colonies achieving set benchmarks are classified under Harit • Strengthens RWA-led waste reduction
Mitra Colonies and Sahbhagita Colonies, with tax incentives models, fostering a cleaner urban
and developmental support. environment.
• Reduces municipal expenses on waste
Replicability and Scalability collection and transportation.
MCD has set phased targets to expand the Zero Waste • Offers property tax rebates to compliant
Colony model across all zones, focusing on converting RWAs RWAs, incentivizing participation.
and Group Housing Societies into self-sustaining waste
management units. Future expansion includes extending the
model to markets, institutions, religious places, and offices to To know more
create a city-wide zero-waste framework.
Contact

Vandana Rao, IAS

Deputy Commissioner, City SP
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
mcdswachhsurvekshan@[Link]

120
 The “Compost Wise”
Campaign: Home
Composting in Kulgam
Introduction

The Municipal Council of Kulgam (MC Kulgam) launched

a home composting initiative to promote waste reduction
at the source. This initiative encourages households to
compost their wet waste, minimising landfill dependency and State/UT Jammu & Kashmir
fostering sustainable domestic waste management practices.
Through continuous awareness campaigns and community Urban Local Body Municipal Committee Kulgam
engagement, MC Kulgam has successfully motivated
Department/ Housing & Urban Development
residents to adopt home composting, transforming waste Organisation Department
into a valuable resource.
Duration 1 Year
Activities

The initiative began with an intensive outreach program,

Impact
where MC Kulgam educated residents about the benefits of
composting and provided the necessary technical guidance.
Initially, a few households adopted home composting, setting
an example for others. As success stories were shared, more
• Waste reduction leads to less air,
families joined the initiative, leading to a significant reduction
water, and land pollution. It also helps
in household waste. The MC continuously supports lower greenhouse gas emissions by
participants by providing advice about waste segregation, the reducing production and waste disposal.
appropriate size for compost pits, composting techniques, Additionally, reduced waste contributes
and optimal conditions for waste decomposition. As of now, to lower pollution levels.
over 80 households actively compost their wet waste, with
• Minimising waste fosters employment
a goal to expand participation to 500 households by the end
in recycling, upcycling, and sustainability
of 2025. sectors.
• Reducing waste lowers raw material and
Integration with Circular Economy disposal costs while creating business
opportunities through recycling and
The home composting initiative is turning organic
upcycling. Additionally, minimising
waste into nutrient-rich compost, which can be used for
waste decreases landfill and incineration
gardening and farming. This creates a circular economy in expenses.
the neighbourhood. The reliance on chemical fertilisers is
reduced and decreases the environmental impact of waste
disposal. By promoting waste minimisation at the source, the
initiative enhances resource efficiency, encourages recycling, To know more
and supports sustainable urban living.
Contact

Zahid Sajad,
Replicability and Scalability
Chief Executive Officer, JKAS
This model can be replicated in smaller Urban Local Municipal Committee Kulgam
Bodies (ULBs) where households have access to land for eomckulgam@[Link]
composting. Additionally, the initiative can establish small-
scale neighbourhood groups to effectively monitor and
manage the program.

121
 Haritha Karma Sena: Women
Recyclers of Kerala
Introduction

The Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) initiative was launched in

2017 as part of the Haritha Keralam Mission to create a
sustainable solid waste management system in Kerala. The
key stakeholders were Kudumbasree Mission, Suchitwa
Mission, Local Self Government Department (LSGD). This
program empowers women by involving them in waste
collection and segregation at the source. State/UT Kerala
Urban Local Body All Local Bodies across Kerala
Activities
Department/
Organisation Kudumbasree
The Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) is formed with women from
Kudumbashree neighbourhood groups (NHGs). Their key Duration Since 2017
activities include door-to-door collection of waste from
households and institutions, ensuring proper segregation at
Material Collection Facilities (MCFs), and actively promoting
source-level segregation among residents and organizations.
To sustain their operations, HKS members collect user Impact
fees from households and institutions. The initiative also
collaborates with Clean Kerala Company for scientific waste
processing, ensuring that collected waste is managed in • LSGIs cover the formation, training, and
an environmentally responsible manner. Women are also operational expenses.
offered capacity-building sessions facilitated by the Kerala • User fees collected provide a sustainable
Institute of Local Administration (KILA), equipping members income source for HKS members.
with the necessary skills and knowledge for efficient waste Additionally, the user fees collected
management. from households and institutions are
distributed among the group members
(HKS) as their remuneration, with a
Integration with Circular Economy nominal 10 percent deducted to maintain
HKS members ensure that sorted plastic and other non- a reserve fund for urgent needs of the
group.
organic waste are handed over to the Clean Kerala Company
for scientific processing. Proper segregation and recycling • HKS sustains itself on an enterprise
practices help reduce the environmental impact of waste model by collecting user fees (fixed
disposal, minimizing reliance on landfilling and incineration. by LSGI) for services and carrying out
Effective waste management conserves natural resources, sales of recyclables, inoculum, sales and
services of composting devices among
reduces pollution, and promotes overall environmental
others.
sustainability.

Replicability and Scalability

The model is highly replicable in all LSGIs with proper To know more
institutional and financial support. Contact

Mr. Gokul Prasannan

PMU Kerala, IEC Expert-PMU
sanitationkerala@[Link]

122
 Odisha’s Decentralised
Waste Management: An
Apparatus for Community
Engagement
Introduction

Odisha has implemented a community-led decentralised

municipal solid waste management model across the state, State/UT Odisha
emphasising the need for community-driven, collaborative
solutions for the successful collection, segregation, Urban Local Body All (state-wide initiative)
processing, disposal and recycling of municipal waste. The
Department/ Housing and Urban Development
framework prioritises community participation and local
engagement to boost effective urban waste management,
Organisation Department, Odisha
within a standardised directive developed by the state for all Duration Since 2020
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to follow.

Activities
Impact
By collaborating with Swachh Sathis and SHGs, local
communities were effectively engaged via extensive • Approximately 1,155 tonnes per day
behavioural change and awareness campaigns to build of wet waste and 1,102 tonnes per day
a sense of collective responsibility towards the end-to- of dry waste are collected every day
end management of municipal solid waste. Employment across the 115 ULBs. The decentralised
opportunities were created by various ULBs who trained processes have minimized the volume
community partners in all matters of solid waste management. of waste dumped in landfills, reduced
transportation costs and distances,
100 percent door-to-door waste collection from domestic, thereby reducing the individual carbon
industrial, and commercial waste generating units was footprints of the cities.
implemented across Odisha, with the collected waste being
transported in custom-made, partitioned Vehicles. While • A citizen-centric and cost-effective
wet waste is converted to compost, dry waste is segregated model, the initiative has so-far created
employment opportunities for 3,160
into recyclable and non-recyclable fractions, with the latter
Mission Shakti Groups, 3,395 Swachh
transported to cement plants for co-processing. Reduce,
Karmis, 2,172 Swachh Sathis, 468
Reuse, Recycle (RRR) centres have also been established. Swachh Supervisors, 136 members
from the transgender community, and
Integration with Circular Economy 764 informal waste pickers.

Odisha’s decentralised waste management framework • The effective segregation and sale of
adheres to the principles of circular economy for recyclable materials has generated a
endeavouring to establish networks of resource recovery revenue of INR 2.76 crores by the end
of 2024.
and recycling wherever possible.

Replicability and Scalability

To know more
Through community engagement,Odisha’s decentralised
Contact
waste management can be replicated across other cities to
Sri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS
create a financially and environmentally sustainable urban
Special Secretary to Government and State Mission
waste management system.
Director, SBM (Urban), Odisha
sanitationhud@[Link]

123
 INNOVATIVE
INTERVENTIONS
Several states across India have risen boldly to the challenge of having to deal with
accumulating levels of waste over the years by tapping into creative and innovative
avenues to reimagine effective, circular systems for urban waste management. With the
rise in urgency for sustainable solutions across the world, India has been thinking outside
the box to yield collaborative, efficient, environment-friendly, and long-term results that
make the maximum amount of beneficial contributions to existing waste management
systems. Engaging new technologies and processes, Urban Local Bodies across the states
have been busy ideating, implementing and forging new pathways - paving the way for
others to likewise conceive, carry out, and clean.

124
 The Journey of Old
Clothes: Navi Mumbai is
Giving Textile Waste a
New Life
Introduction

The rising volume of post-consumer textile waste (PCTW) is

a growing environmental concern. To address this, the Navi
Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has launched an State/UT Maharashtra
initiative focused on reducing textile [Link] Navi Mumbai Municipal
Urban Local Body
Corporation (NMMC)
Activities
Solid Waste Management
Department/
NMMC has launched a textile waste management program Organisation Department, Navi Mumbai
with multiple stakeholders. Awareness programs educate Municipal Corporation (NMMC)
citizens, industries, and institutions on responsible disposal
Duration Since 2024
and recycling. Collection points are set up across housing
societies, offices, schools, and colleges, with SBI Foundation
Ltd. providing bins. Door-to-door collection drives, in
collaboration with municipal services, ensure efficient waste
gathering. A dedicated logistics system transports waste Impact
to the Textile Recovery Facility (TRF), where advanced
sorting technologies enhance segregation. Upcycling units
at TRF convert waste into new products, collaborating with • Recycling and upcycling textiles
artisans and designers. significantly reduce the demand for
virgin materials, conserving energy and
NMMC has developed market linkages through retail, online reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
platforms, and trade shows. Public engagement campaigns, Recycling textiles cuts energy use by up
encourage community participation in sustainable textile to 70 percent, mitigates landfill waste,
waste management. The project will be made successful and decreases water pollution.
with a combined efforts of Textiles Committee (TC), SBI
• Engaging communities in sustainable
Foundation Ltd., IDH India Hub Pvt. Ltd., Tisser Artisan practices fosters environmental
Trust, Local communities, housing societies, schools, responsibility, while collaboration with
colleges, and NGOs. artisans preserves traditional skills and
creates economic opportunities through
Integration with Circular Economy market linkages.

By systematically collecting, processing, and reintegrating

textile waste into the economy, the initiative follows circular
economy principles. Initial targets include collecting 10-12 To know more
MT of PCTW monthly, scaling up to manage the city’s full Contact
40-45 MT daily generation. By installing 200 collection bins
Santosh Warule
across societies, the initiative will serve over 11,000 families
Deputy Municipal Commissioner,
in its first year. It supported livelihoods of approximately
Solid Waste Management Department,
1,500 families.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)
dmc_swm@[Link]
Replicability and Scalability

The initiative can be scaled by increasing community

participation and developing market linkages.

125
 Promoting Sustainable
Vehicle Disposal: Gujarat’s
End-of-Life Vehicle Plan
Introduction

Gujarat has implemented the Transport and Highways Policy

on Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility
(2021) to promote sustainable vehicle disposal. To encourage
scrapping, Gujarat offers motor vehicle tax concessions,
State/UT Gujarat
waivers on old vehicle dues, and additional benefits for
electric vehicle purchases, ensuring a cleaner and more Department/ Ministry of Road Transport &
efficient transport ecosystem. Organisation Highways
Duration Since 2021
Activities

Gujarat has established five Regional Vehicle Scrapping

Facilities (RVSF) with an annual capacity of scrapping
3,00,000 vehicles. Investors can apply online through the Impact
National Single Window System, linked to the IFP Portal for
state approvals. Tax concessions are provided for new vehicle
purchases when an old vehicle is scrapped at an RVSF, along • Integrated PUC checking system and
with a one-time waiver for tax, penalties, and e-challans on Automated Testing Stations (ATS)
vehicles over eight years old. The PUC system is integrated enhances monitoring of end-of-life
with the VAHAN portal to identify end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), vehicles (ELV).
while Automated Testing Stations (ATS) ensure proper • Streamlines regulatory approvals,
testing. Owners receive a Certificate of Deposit (COD) for tax making it easier for investors to set up
benefits, and additional incentives, including tax concessions scrapping centers.
and subsidies, are provided for electric vehicle purchases.
• Boosts employment opportunities in the
vehicle scrapping and recycling sector.
Integration with Circular Economy

Gujarat’s vehicle scrapping policy aligns with the principles

of a circular economy by promoting resource recovery and To know more
sustainable waste management. Through RVS, the state
Contact
processes end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), ensuring material
reuse and reducing environmental impact. Incentives like Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
tax concessions and registration fee waivers encourage helpdesk-vahan@[Link]
the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, fostering a circular
approach to mobility and resource efficiency.

Replicability and Scalability

Gujarat’s vehicle scrapping model can be replicated

nationwide by integrating the National Single Window
System for investor approvals and linking VAHAN with PUC
checks. Scalability is ensured through incentives like tax
concessions, COD benefits, and EV subsidies. Expanding
Automated Testing Stations (ATS) and RVSFs across states
can accelerate old vehicle disposal, promoting cleaner
transportation.

126
 Double Chambered
Incinerator: Treating
Sanitary Waste in
Thrissur

Introduction

A double-chambered sanitary incinerator provides an

State/UT Kerala
efficient and hygienic solution for the disposal of sanitary
waste. It ensures complete combustion while minimizing Urban Local Body Thrissur Municipal Corporation
environmental pollution and health risks. The incinerator
Department/
operates through two chambers: the primary chamber Organisation Thrissur Municipal Corporation
initiates waste combustion, while the secondary chamber
ensures high-temperature burning of residual gases and odor Duration Lifetime
control. This technology supports waste volume reduction
and hygienic disposal, making it a crucial component of
sustainable waste management systems.
Impact
Activities

The sanitary incinerator functions through a systematic • Reduction in waste accumulation and
process involving the primary chamber, where waste is loaded, uncontrolled dumping.
• Minimization of greenhouse gas
ignited at a moderate temperature, and reduced to ash. The
emissions through controlled
secondary chamber then processes the gases and smoke,
combustion, thus preventing air and
subjecting them to high temperatures above 800°C to ensure water pollution.
complete breakdown of organic matter, odor elimination, and
pollutant reduction. This process significantly reduces waste • Improved hygiene and health,
volume, ensures hygienic disposal, minimizes environmental particularly for women and girls, by
impact, and collects ash for safe disposal. ensuring proper disposal of sanitary
waste.

Integration with Circular Economy • Enhanced dignity and privacy by

providing a discreet disposal method.
To align with circular economy principles, sanitary • Reduced waste management costs for
incinerators can incorporate waste segregation and pre- Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
treatment by encouraging proper segregation at the source • A cost-effective waste disposal solution
to separate recyclable materials from incinerable waste. compared to alternative methods.
Resource recovery can be explored by utilizing residual
ash in construction materials. Integrating emission control
technologies can minimize air [Link]
To know more
Replicability and Scalability Contact

Abdul Nasar
Improper waste disposal showcase the growing demand
Manager, Clean City
for hygienic and environmentally safe disposal methods in
Thrissur Municipal Corporation
schools, hospitals, and public places. Government policies
swmtcr@[Link]
and regulatory frameworks with public-private partnerships
facilitate cost-sharing and technology dissemination.

127
 Solar Powered Cleanup:
Leh’s Bright Solution to
Waste
Introduction

Leh, a prominent tourist destination in the Union Territory of

Ladakh, faces significant challenges in managing solid waste
due to increasing visitor footfall and limited waste disposal
infrastructure. In response, a solar-powered solid waste
management initiative was launched to address the pressing State/UT Ladakh
environmental concerns associated with waste accumulation. Urban Local Body Leh

Activities Department/ Directorate of Urban Local

Organisation Bodies, Ladakh
With the support of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill
Initiated in 2020 with the
Development Council (LAHDC), a solid waste management
plant with a processing capacity of 30 tonnes per day (TPD)
establishment of the solar-
was established. The facility is powered by solar energy,
Duration powered waste management
reducing dependency on conventional power sources,
plant. The plant is operational
thereby lowering operational costs. A key objective of the successfully since then.
project is to achieve 100 percent source segregation of
waste and a 90 percent material recovery rate, ensuring that
most of the waste collected is either recycled or composted
rather than ending up in landfills. Impact
Prior to the intervention, Leh suffered from inadequate waste
collection practices, leading to waste overflow in public spaces • Minimising waste accumulation in
and increased health hazards. The new system significantly landfills.
improves waste collection efficiency, contributing to a • The use of solar energy further supports
cleaner environment. The initiative generates revenue by sustainability by lowering carbon
selling recyclable materials and compost, making the project emissions and operational costs, and
financially sustainable. also ensures reliable operations even in
remote, off-grid areas.
• Improved public health and sanitation as
Integration with Circular Economy waste overflow in public areas has been
reduced.
The project follows a circular economy approach by focusing
on recycling, reuse, and value addition. Waste is repurposed • Proper waste segregation and treatment
into useful products such as pavement tiles and compost, reduce health risks associated with
unmanaged waste.
which are reintegrated into the local economy. With a
90 percent material recovery rate, the initiative ensures • Financially, the revenue generated from
that a minimal amount of waste is sent to landfills, thereby recyclables and compost supports the
reducing environmental pollution and supporting long-term ongoing functioning of the plant, making
sustainability. it a self-sustaining model.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

This initiative can be scaled in other hilly and tourist regions Contact

facing similar waste management challenges. Given the Moses Kunzang, Stanzin Rabgais
abundance of sunlight in such areas, solar-powered waste Director Urban Local Bodies, Ladakh; Executive officer,
processing plants can be implemented effectively, reducing Municipal Committee, Leh
reliance on conventional energy sources. dulbladakh@[Link]

128
 Healing the Planet:
Thane’s Green Pharmacy
Introduction

Improper disposal of household medicines leads to

environmental contamination, antimicrobial resistance, and
health hazards. To mitigate these risks, Thane Municipal
Corporation (TMC) in collaboration with Rnisarg Foundation
have launched an initiative focused on safe medicine
consumption and disposal through public awareness and
dedicated take-back bins. State/UT Maharashtra
Urban Local Body Thane Municipal Corporation
Activities
Solid Waste Management
Department/
The initiative emphasises public education on safe Organisation Department, Thane Municipal
pharmaceutical practices through physical and digital Corporation (TMC)
awareness campaigns, including workshops, webinars, social Duration Since 2021
media videos, and informational flyers. Specially designed
take-back Green Pharmacy bins have been installed at key
locations such as residential societies, schools, chemists,
and hospitals across Thane City, with 27 bins currently in
operation and plans for expansion.
Impact
A structured collection process ensures that pharmaceutical
waste is gathered monthly, audited for proper segregation,
and sent for scientific disposal. Active Pharmaceutical • Environmentally, the project prevents
Ingredients (APIs) are treated through environmentally safe pharmaceutical contamination in soil
disposal methods, while recyclable packaging is directed and water, preserving biodiversity and
towards recycling streams, and non-recyclable waste is sent reducing ecological harm. Health and
for co-processing. Stakeholders involved include Rnisarg safety benefits include reducing risks of
Foundation, Thane Municipal Corporation, Citizens, Mumbai antimicrobial drug resistance, accidental
ingestion, misuse, and exposure to
Waste Management, Recyclers, and Local NGOs. Over three
hazardous substances.
years, the project has already diverted two tons of household
pharmaceutical waste from landfills. • Socially, it enhances public awareness
of safe medicine use and disposal,
protecting communities from health
Integration with Circular Economy hazards associated with expired or
unused drugs.
The initiative integrates circular economy principles by
segregating and recycling medicine, packaging waste, • Financially, the initiative reduces costs
ensuring resource recovery while maintaining safe handling associated with improper pharmaceutical
practices. By diverting household pharmaceutical waste from waste disposal and mitigates financial
landfills, the project reduces environmental contamination losses linked to environmental
and contributes to waste minimisation. contamination.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

Expanding the network of pharmacy bins to every housing Contact

society and hospital will significantly scale up the initiative. Dr. Rani Shinde
Collaborations with citizen groups, medical colleges, and Health Officer, Nodal Officer for SBM(U),
policymakers will further amplify the impact, while support SWM Department,
from regulatory bodies like TMC and the Maharashtra Thane Municipal Corporation
Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will drive large-scale hoswm@[Link]
awareness and policy adoption.
129
 Rajasthan’s Pyrolysis
Push: Transforming Tyres
to Renewable Energy
Introduction

Hi Green Carbon Limited has pioneered a sustainable waste

tyre recycling initiative in Rajasthan by implementing a state-
of-the-art pyrolysis process unit. This initiative aims to curb
the incineration of waste tyres in the unorganised sector
while promoting a circular economy. By producing green fuel State/UT Rajasthan
and recycled carbon black, the project reduces dependency
on fossil fuels, enhances energy efficiency, and significantly
Urban Local Body Rajasthan Pollution Control Board
cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Department/
Organisation Hi Green Carbon Limited
Activities Duration Ongoing for 12 years
The initiative operates a continuous waste tyre pyrolysis
plant with a 100 TPD capacity, processing 1.5 million waste
tyres over the past 12 years. The plant has produced 60,000
metric tons of green fuel and 50,000 metric tons of green Impact
carbon while ensuring zero liquid or solid waste discharge.
The process achieves a 90 percent reduction in CO2
emissions compared to virgin carbon production and a 93 • The initiative eliminates landfill disposal
percent reduction compared to tyre incineration. The project and tyre incineration, significantly
adheres to environmental guidelines set by the Rajasthan reducing GHG emissions. It optimizes
State Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control energy efficiency through solar power
and waste heat utilization, conserves
Board, and MoEF&CC. It collaborates with industries such as
water via recycling, and improves
rubber, tyre, plastics, cement, and steel, creating a sustainable
air quality by preventing hazardous
supply chain for waste-derived resources. emissions.

Integration with Circular Economy • By reducing industrial reliance on fossil

fuels and substituting virgin carbon
The initiative embodies waste-to-wealth principles by with recycled carbon black, the project
transforming discarded tyres into valuable industrial lowers operational costs for industries.
inputs, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. By It also generates employment in
replacing furnace oil and heavy thermal oil with green fuel, waste collection, transportation, and
it contributes to sustainable industrial practices. Energy processing, contributing to economic
efficiency is maximized through waste heat recovery, solar growth.
power generation, and water recycling via an in-house
effluent treatment plant. The project is ISO-certified for
environmental, occupational safety, and quality management, To know more
as well as ISCC Plus certified for international sustainability Contact
and carbon certification.
Amit Bhalodi & Nirmal Sutaria
Director
Replicability and Scalability
amit@[Link]
The project demonstrates scalability potential through policy-
level interventions, industry incentives, and infrastructure
expansion near waste tyre generation hubs. Standardized
waste management policies can streamline operations,
while restrictions on unregulated tyre disposal can enhance
compliance.

130
 The Black Soldier Fly:
Mangalore’s Composting
Technology
Introduction

The Mangalore City Corporation has launched an innovative

and organic methodology, called the Black Soldier Fly (BSF).
BSF has been deployed in the city after the conclusion of its
successful pilot run, to convert wet waste into nutrient-rich,
organic manure. With the generation of several hundreds State/UT Karnataka
of tonnes of municipal wet waste from household and bulk Urban Local Body Mangalore City Corporation
waste generators across the city per day, the urgency to
introduce and cement a successful waste management Department/
Organisation Mangalore City Corporation
process is paramount.
Duration Ongoing
Activities

The BSF is an eco-friendly process, and a more

environmentally viable alternative to vermicomposting
and windrow composting methods. The latter is an often Impact
time consuming process, with other associated undesirable
outputs such as the production of malodour and leachate
during compost generation. • An environmentally friendly process
with no undesirable byproducts, and the
Black soldier flies feed upon organic waste material to grow
compost developed is a natural fertiliser
and lay their eggs. The process therefore allows them to
that is extremely beneficial for soil health
breed and produce compost, while simultaneously addressing and fertility.
the issue of accumulated wet waste. The process does not
attract house flies or other pests, does not release any • It has helped introduce the community
odour, and does not produce leachate. Nutrient rich manure to the concept of source segregation,
to help them better understand the
is generated within a duration of 12 days to a month; this is
importance of being able to identify
used as a natural fertilizer and can be employed extensively in
and segregate their wet and dry waste
horticulture, agriculture, as well as gardening activities. components.
• The compost produced by the process
Integration with Circular Economy has been valued at around INR 6 to 8,
and can be sold at a profit.
By converting waste into valuable, eco-friendly resources,
the BSF technology utilised in Mangalore to tackle the
problems of wet waste has created the capacity for a zero-
waste, circular economy to entrench itself within the city’s
waste management strategy. This is a completely organic To know more
process that yields rich resources that are beneficial to the
Contact
environment.
Sri Ravichandra Naik
Commissioner
Replicability and Scalability Manglore City Corporation
While efforts will have to be taken to effectively introduce [Link]@[Link]
and seamlessly integrate the BSF technology into a city’s
municipal solid and liquid waste management scheme, cities
may look to Mangalore to study the importance of adopting
innovative and cutting edge technologies to address
community challenges and help local ecosystems.

131
 Smart Waste Management:
How Lucknow is Leading
in Carcass Recycling
Introduction

A Modern Carcass Utilization Plant is established in Lucknow.

The initiative aims to create an organized and scientific
system for the disposal of dead animals, reduce pollution and
environmental hazards, and generate additional revenue for State/UT Uttar Pradesh
the local body through plant operations. Lucknow Municipal
Urban Local Body Lucknow Municipal Corporation
Corporation is the project implementation agency. M/s. J.D.
Engineering is the turnkey contractor, and operation and Department/
Organisation Lucknow Municipal Corporation
maintenance is the responsibility of M/s. Eagle Agro Feeds.
Duration 12 Months
Activities

The Plant operates through several key sections, it begins

with the receiving and inspection area, where dead animals
are collected and examined. At a separate skin separation
Impact
Impact
area, hides and skins are removed for further use. In the
carcass processing area, the remaining parts undergo
• Incentivizes proper disposal of dead
further treatment to extract valuable by-products. The
animals, enhancing rural income and
Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) production and collection area
improving city cleanliness.
is dedicated to producing MBM, while the tallow collection
area focuses on extracting and storing tallow. An Effluent • Reduces pollution and environmental
Treatment Plant (ETP) area ensures the proper treatment of hazards, prevents the spread of
diseases associated with decomposing
wastewater generated during processing. The carcasses are
carcasses, and maintains a cleaner urban
then crushed in the pre-breaking stage before undergoing a
environment.
cooking process to break them down further. Fat or tallow
extraction is carried out using hydraulic presses, after which • A total of 14,126 dead animals were
the material is dehydrated in a drying and cooling phase. processed at the plant, resulting in the
Finally, the dried material is ground into MBM using a hammer production of 197.76 tons of Meat and
mill, while waste steam and untreated water are treated in Bone Meal (MBM) and 16.95 tons of
the ETP, ensuring environmentally responsible operations. tallow. Additionally, the plant generated
an annual royalty of Rs. 25.00 lakh for
the Lucknow Municipal Corporation
Integration with Circular Economy (LMC).

The plant processes dead animals collected from municipal

areas to produce commercially viable by-products such as To know more
MBM and tallow, promoting sustainable waste management
and generating revenue. Contact

Mr. Aloke Karan

Replicability and Scalability Managing Partner
Lucknow Municipal Corporation
Similar plants are successfully operating in Jaipur and karanaloke@[Link]
Jodhpur in Rajasthan and Lucknow and Kanpur in Uttar
Pradesh, demonstrating their technical, environmental,
and commercial viability. Municipal corporations across
the country are encouraged to implement similar plants for
effective animal waste management.

132
 Innovative Circularity in
Ghaziabad: Transforming
Waste Through Sustainable
Practices
Introduction

Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation has undertaken a multi-

faceted approach to urban sustainability by integrating State/UT Uttar Pradesh
sanitation, waste management innovation, and resource
recovery. The Corporation has implemented an integrated Urban Local Body
Ghaziabad Municipal
approach to the circular economy through three key Corporation
initiatives: the Pink Bus Toilet, Swachhta Lab, and Reduce, Department/
Reuse, Recycle (RRR) Centre. Organisation Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam

Activities

The Pink Bus Toilet, a refurbished bus converted to a toilet,,

Impact
ensures safe and hygienic sanitation facilities for women
Impact
in public spaces, featuring mobile units with water-saving
fixtures and regular maintenance. The Swachhta Lab serves • Reduction in landfill waste, conservation
as a waste management innovation hub, promoting research, of water, and enhanced recycling efforts.
hands-on training, and sustainable waste-to-value solutions.
Complementing these efforts, the RRR Centre facilitates • Improved sanitation access for women,
responsible waste disposal by collecting reusable items increased public awareness, and better
like clothes, books, and electronics for refurbishment and community engagement in waste
management.
redistribution. Together, these initiatives enhance urban
sustainability, promote resource efficiency, and engage the • Cost-effective waste management,
community in circular economy practices. revenue generation through recycling
initiatives, and job creation in sanitation
and waste processing sectors.
Integration with Circular Economy

By utilising recycled materials in infrastructure and waste

processing, these initiatives promote waste reduction, reuse, To know more
and recycling principles. Sustainable water management is Contact
ensured through water-efficient fixtures, reducing resource
Vikram Adithya Singh Malik
consumption. Additionally, community-driven waste-to-
Municipal Commissioner
value solutions are developed to enhance environmental
Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam
sustainability, encourage responsible waste disposal, and
[Link]@[Link]
create economic opportunities.

Replicability and Scalability

The model is adaptable across urban centres due to its modular

implementation and strong public-private collaboration.
Expansion can be achieved by deploying additional Pink Bus
Toilets in high-footfall areas, establishing more Swachhta
Labs within educational institutions and waste facilities.

133
 Introducing ‘Swachhta
Ambulance’: Meerut’s
Efficient Waste
Management
Introduction

On December 13, 2024, the Meerut Municipal Corporation,

in alignment with the Swachh Bharat Mission, introduced State/UT Uttar Pradesh
the Swachhta Ambulance initiative. This innovative solution
addresses improper waste disposal, especially during Urban Local Body Meerut Municipal Corporation
the wedding season, which generates significant waste. Department/
The initiative ensures efficient waste management while Organisation Meerut Municipal Corporation
promoting sustainability and community participation. Duration Since December 13, 2024

Activities

The Swachhta Ambulance initiative involves the deployment

of mobile waste collection units that efficiently collect and Impact
transport waste from wedding venues and large gatherings.
A 24/7 toll-free helpline (18002100351) enables citizens
to easily request waste collection services, ensuring prompt • Reduces landfill waste, promotes
composting, and supports sustainable
and hassle-free disposal. Sustainable waste management
waste processing.
practices such as segregation, composting, and recycling
are integral to the initiative, reducing landfill burden. The • Enhances cleanliness, hygiene, and public
initiative actively engages the community through awareness health in event spaces and residential
campaigns, promoting responsible waste disposal and areas.
encouraging citizen participation in maintaining cleanliness. • Reduces municipal waste management
costs by improving waste collection
Integration with Circular Economy efficiency and promoting recycling-
based revenue streams.
The initiative fosters a circular waste management system
by promoting sustainable waste disposal methods. Waste
collected is sorted for recycling and composting, reducing
To know more
landfill burden and conserving natural resources. The
initiative encourages citizen participation in waste reduction, Contact
reuse, and responsible disposal. Saurabh Gangwar, IAS
Municipal Commissioner
Replicability and Scalability Meerut Nagar Nigam
nnmee@[Link]
The initiative can be adapted in urban areas across India
due to its flexible and demand-based implementation
model. Expansion can be achieved by increasing the fleet
of Swachhta Ambulances to cover more areas, establishing
waste management tie-ups with event organisers and local
authorities, and enhancing public awareness campaigns
to encourage broader participation in responsible waste
disposal.

134
 Bio-Enzymes for People,
Planet and Profits:
Innovation in Orohalli
Introduction

Orohalli Gram Panchayat in Karnataka is driving a women-

led SHG initiative of producing bio-enzymes from citrus
peels as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleaners.
The drive addresses waste management, generating income, State/UT Karnataka
and promoting sustainability in 11 villages of the Panchayat.
The success of this model highlights its scalability for other Gram Panchayat Orohalli
regions. Government interest in procuring bio-enzymes for
Department/ Department of Drinking Water &
office use further strengthens its potential as a sustainable,
women-led enterprise promoting a green local economy.
Organisation Sanitation
Duration 4 years
Activities

In 32 months, 600 litres of bio-enzyme has been produced

from local citrus peels, of which 280 litres has been sold.
The initiative has empowered 12 women, and they earned Impact
additional income of Rs. 20 per litre. The beneficiaries of this
initiative are training other SHGs thus leading to a snowball
effect. • The bio enzyme is sold in reused PET
bottles thus preventing single use plastic
Integration with Circular Economy packaging items getting burnt.
• As the women are producing and selling
The drive has helped in managing citrus peels, that are difficult their own produce it creates an example
to compost. Around 315 Kgs of citrus peels have been used on women entrepreneurship, fostering
in production of bio-enzyme which is supplied to surrounding economic resilience among them.
areas thus minimising transportation related GHG and also
generating local jobs.

To know more
Replicability and Scalability
Contact
The bio-enzyme production model can be replicated in other
Shilpa D R
regions facing similar solid waste and livelihood challenges.
Pradhan
Self-help groups (SHGs) or community groups can adopt
Orohalli Gram Panchayat
this sustainable practice, promoting local economies and
[Link]@[Link]
environmental well being. SHGs involved in waste collection
and management, in particular, can be incentivized through
such initiatives that also empower communities to embrace
eco-friendly practices while creating additional livelihood
opportunities.

135
 THE MINISTRY OF
FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRIES
The Ministry of Food Processing IndustrieS (MoFPI) has been instrumental in
promoting the ‘Waste to Wealth’ initiative within India’s food processing sector,
in alignment with the principles of a circular economy. Recognizing the potential
of transforming food waste into valuable resources, MoFPI has launched several
schemes to reduce waste and enhance resource efficiency. The Pradhan Mantri
Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), for example, enhances infrastructure to reduce
post-harvest losses. The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing
Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) supports micro food processing units with financial
and technical aid, promoting the ‘One District One Product’ approach. The
Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLISFPI)
incentivizes the manufacturing of food products from waste, fostering innovation,
economic growth, and sustainability. Through these initiatives, MoFPI addresses
environmental concerns while promoting economic growth, creating employment
opportunities, and supporting sustainable practices in the food processing industry.

136
 Sustainable Alternative to
Single-Use Plastics
Introduction

Ball Corporation promotes the 3Rs and circular economy

by advocating Aluminum beverage cans as a sustainable
alternative to single-use plastics. Aluminium is infinitely
recyclable, and 75 percent of all aluminium ever produced
is still in use today. Their closed-loop recycling process
enables used cans to return to store shelves as new cans
quickly, reducing waste and energy consumption. Recycling
State/UT Karnataka & MP
aluminium significantly lowers the energy required for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara
production, and unlike other materials, it retains its quality Urban Local Body Palike & Bhopal Municipal
through multiple recycling cycles. Additionally, aluminium Corporation
cans have a lower global warming potential compared to
Department/
PET and glass packaging, making them an environmentally Organisation Ball Corporation
superior choice. By integrating these practices, Ball
Corporation contributes to resource efficiency, waste
reduction, and a more sustainable packaging ecosystem.

Activities Impact
Two pilot projects for the collection of Used Beverage Cans
for recycling were initiated jointly with Waste Management • Since the collection of Used Beverage
companies where around 5000 safai karmacharies were Cans was not done in the organised
involved. sector, through these pilot projects Ball
could showcase that waste management
companies, brand owners of beverage
Integration with Circular Economy companies and safai karmacharies could
The purpose of the initiative was to recycle the Used come under one umbrella. This initiative
has also helped to improve the livelihood
Beverage Cans for making beverage cans which would help
of safai karmacharies.
in reducing the energy by 95 percent.

Replicability and Scalability To know more

Ball Corporation’s closed-loop recycling model for aluminum Contact
cans demonstrates its replicability, due to its efficient K S Ganesan
collection and recycling processes, which can be adapted Head - Corp Affairs
across regions to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, Ball Corporation
and integrate with circular economy initiatives. [Link]@[Link]

137
 Integrating Circular
Solutions: Tetra Pak’s
Sustainability Journey
Introduction

Tetra Pak has been operational in India for 37 years, offering

food processing, packaging, technical services, recipe
formulation, marketing services, and sustainability solutions
to over 400 leading F&B companies. State/UT Pan-India
Department/
Organisation Tetra Pak India Pvt. Ltd.
Activities

Tetra Pak demonstrates the 3Rs through innovative practices

across its value chain. To reduce environmental impact, the
company replaces traditional materials with plant-based caps,
tethered caps, and paper straws sourced from FSC-certified Impact
paperboard. Tetra Pak further demonstrates a closed-loop
system via partnerships such as the Sabarkantha Dairy
project, where post-consumer cartons are transformed into • In India, Tetra Pak has been voluntarily
durable roofing sheets. Recycled materials are repurposed executing EPR for close to 20 years,
into furniture, stationery, pallets, and even 3-wheeler auto investing around INR 750,000,000
seats, showcased through interactive exhibits that educate during this time. Tetra Pak operates with
a network of over 30 collection partners
visitors on recycling efforts. Emphasizing reuse, the company
pan-India, five key aggregator groups,
highlights creative applications like constructing cowsheds
and nine recycling facilities.
from recycled packaging.
• Tetra Pak supports consumer awareness
programmes on used beverage cartons
Integration with Circular Economy like Alag Karo, Go Green with Tetra Pak,
Cartons to Classroom.
By integrating these strategies—from sustainable sourcing
to end-product innovation—Tetra Pak advances circularity, • In 2023, Tetra Pak sold 10.4 billion
ensuring materials remain in use. This aligns with their plant-based packages and 12.6 billion
mission to “protect what’s good”. plant-based caps, made from segregated
plant-based polymers, traceable to their
sugarcane origins.
Replicability and Scalability
• Globally, Tetra Pak is spending
In India, Tetra Pak is the first paper-based beverage carton approximately €100 million annually in
manufacturer that is geared to start manufacturing packaging packaging research and development.
material with a minimum of 5 percent recycled plastic content
starting April 2025, as part of its obligations under the Plastic
Waste Management Rules of the Ministry of Environment, To know more
Forest and Climate Change. Contact

Deepten Chatterjee
Head of Corporate Affairs, South Asia,
Tetra Pak
[Link]@[Link]

138
 Advanced Recycling and
Sustainable Packing
Innovations
Introduction

Sustainability is embedded at the heart of UFlex’s operations,

driving the company to innovate responsibly and create
packaging solutions that serve both the business and the
environment. As a global leader in flexible packaging, UFlex State/UT Uttar Pradesh
recognizes its pivotal role in shaping a circular economy and
Urban Local Body Noida Authority
reducing the ecological footprint of the packaging industry.
Department/
Organisation UFlex Limited
Activities

UFlex’s sustainability initiatives are extensive and feature

a variety of advanced projects and products, such as
extensively recycling mixed plastic waste and promoting the
use of recycled material, tackling plastic waste through the
strategic adoption of advanced technologies. UFlex’s global
sustainability initiative, ‘Project Plastic Fix’, is designed to
Impact
develop solutions that keep plastic in the economy and out of
the environment. • This initiative is expected to reduce the
group’s carbon footprint by 19,000 tons
Integration with Circular Economy annually. Additionally, the company has
agreed with a third party to provide 12
UFlex manages plastic waste through its 4R approach: MW of solar power to the Noida plant.
Reduce plastic at source by manufacturing and using films
• In 2024, UFlex reached a total of 21,389
made from PCR; Recycle via upcycling and downcycling of
beneficiaries through its CSR initiatives
MLP (Multi-Layer mixed Plastic) and PET containers, covers, - rejuvenation of 12 local water bodies in
other articles and bottles; Reuse as source substitution via the National Capital Region (NCR), and
Pyrolysis; Return to the planet in the form of biomass, if the imparting knowledge to students in 13
plastic waste remains uncollected. schools about plastic waste segregation
and management.
Replicability and Scalability • The company generated a total of 31,172
MT of waste in FY24, which was 1,112
The above initiatives demonstrate significant potential for MT less than the total waste generated
replicability and scalability within the framework of a circular in 2023.
economy. These programs are designed to be adaptable
to diverse communities and regions, offering sustainable
solutions that can be expanded and customized according to
local needs. To know more
Contact

Neeru Dhawan
Corporate Communication, Head-Corporate
Communication
UFlex Limited
[Link]@[Link]

139
 Waste to Wealth:
Innovative Practices By
Sahyadri Farms
Introduction

Sahyadri Farms is India’s largest farmer-owned and farmer-

led enterprise that integrates over 26,000 farmers into
a structured, technology-driven value chain to ensure
profitability, quality, and environmental responsibility. They State/UT Maharashtra
were recognised by India’s Economic Survey 2024.
Department/ Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care
Organisation Ltd
Activities

At Sahyadri Farms, ensure 100 percent utilisation of their

farm’s produce. They focus on converting agricultural
waste into valuable resources, enhancing productivity
while minimising carbon footprints. They convert farm
Impact
and processing waste into biogas, which serves as a clean
energy source for operations. This reduces dependency • 100 percent resource utilization – No
on conventional fuels and generates organic fertilizers that waste, only value-added products.
enrich soil health. They harness microalgae to absorb CO2 and
produce high-value bio-products like biofertilizers, animal • Carbon footprint reduction – Cleaner
energy, lower emissions, regenerative
feed, and nutraceuticals. This innovative approach supports
farming.
creates a closed-loop agricultural system. Large-scale solar
panels are installed at the farms. Through these initiatives, • 26,000+ farmers benefit from
Sahyadri Farms have created a zero-waste horticulture sustainable, profitable farming practices.
ecosystem, ensuring that every by-product is repurposed for • Future-ready agriculture – Sustainable
maximum value. inputs, higher productivity, global
competitiveness.
Integration with Circular Economy

Agricultural residues, fruit pulp waste, and other organic To know more
matter are processed in biogas plants, generating clean Contact
energy that powers farm operations and processing Santosh Watpade
units. The by-product, organic slurry, is used as a natural CFO
fertiliser. Microalgae play a critical role in absorbing CO2 Sahyadri Farms Post Harvest Care Ltd
from processing units, transforming emissions into valuable [Link]@[Link]
products like biofertilizers and livestock feed. Large-scale
solar panels installed at Sahyadri Farms power irrigation
systems, processing units, and cold storage facilities.
Advanced drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting minimize
water usage while maximizing yield efficiency. By-products
like fruit peels, seeds, and pulp residues are repurposed into
essential oils, dietary fibers, and livestock feed.

Replicability and Scalability

It can be replicable to across horticulture segment in India

and outside India.

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