Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura Advances Sustainability Efforts
As urban areas in India grapple with the growing challenge of plastic waste, innovative initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban are turning this crisis into an opportunity for sustainable change. By leveraging technology, community involvement, and circular economy principles, cities are actively working towards reducing plastic pollution. Notable efforts include the introduction of biodegradable alternatives and targeted campaigns aimed at promoting responsible waste management practices.
Innovative Solutions for Plastic Waste
Plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue, prompting cities across India to adopt creative solutions under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. This initiative emphasizes the principles of recycling, reuse, and recovery, collectively known as the RRR model, to strengthen the circular economy. Urban Local Bodies are at the forefront of this movement, integrating infrastructure, technology, and citizen engagement to foster sustainable, plastic-free lifestyles. The mission is guided by the principles of Swabhav, Swachhata, and Sanskar, aiming to drive grassroots change and align with India’s Sustainable Development Goals.
In Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat, Tripura, a significant step towards sustainability has been taken with the introduction of compostable bags made from PBAT, a biodegradable polymer. These bags, certified for compostability and biodegradability, decompose within 180 days, offering a viable alternative to traditional plastics, which can take centuries to break down. Priced affordably at ₹145 per kg wholesale and ₹160 per kg retail, these eco-friendly bags are accessible to the community. Local authorities are actively promoting their use to reduce plastic pollution and encourage responsible waste management practices.
Targeted Campaigns Against Single-Use Plastics
Despite existing bans on Single-Use Plastics (SUP), their usage persists in many markets. In response, the Trichy City Corporation, in collaboration with GIZ India’s Circular Waste Solutions project, launched a focused campaign in 2022. This initiative targeted specific farmer markets in Tennur, K.K. Nagar, and Woraiyur, engaging 220 vendors in intensive educational efforts about the environmental impacts of SUPs. The campaign encouraged vendors to adopt sustainable alternatives and promoted the use of reusable cloth bags among shoppers through the “Thunippai Thiruvizhai” initiative. As a result, the Tennur farmers market successfully avoided 2,200 kg of SUPs in one year, while K.K. Nagar and Woraiyur reported reductions of 620 kg and 300 kg, respectively, within shorter timeframes.
Incentivizing Responsible Waste Disposal
The Digital Deposit Refund System (DRS), introduced in Kedarnath in May 2022, aims to combat plastic waste in the Char Dham region by incentivizing responsible disposal. Under this system, shoppers pay a refundable deposit of ₹10 on plastic bottles and multilayered plastics (MLPs), tracked via QR codes at registered shops. Used packaging can be returned at designated points or Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), where it is systematically collected and sent to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for recycling. The initiative has expanded to other pilgrimage sites, successfully recycling 20 lakh plastic bottles, preventing 66 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, and creating over 110 jobs while increasing earnings for informal waste workers by 37.5%.
Community Engagement and Buy-Back Initiatives
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a buy-back initiative has been launched to encourage the return of used plastic milk pouches. Collaborating with ANIIDCO and SVPMC, collection points have been established where consumers can exchange used pouches for rewards such as fresh milk or discounts. Public awareness campaigns have been instrumental in promoting recycling and responsible waste disposal, fostering a culture of sustainability within the community. By November 2024, the initiative had successfully collected 17,600 milk pouches, rewarding residents with 352 liters of milk, while also generating revenue from recycled materials.
Additionally, the Plastic Recycling Facility (PRF) in Patiala addresses low-value plastic waste by converting multilayered plastics into durable chipboards. This eco-friendly alternative to plywood is utilized in various applications, including furniture and temporary shelters. The facility processes up to 10 tonnes of plastic waste daily, producing 75 to 100 chipboards, thereby contributing to infrastructure projects and promoting resource efficiency. These initiatives collectively signify a collaborative effort across India, as states, cities, startups, and citizens work together to implement scalable solutions for plastic waste management and support a circular economy.
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