waste management

A chance conversation with a waste collector changed how 20-year-old Karan saw Delhi’s recycling chain. What followed became ‘Finobadi’, a system that has processed 450 tonnes of waste, planted 3,318 trees and created steady, dignified income for more than 70 workers.

Led by IAS officer Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, the Aama Sundargarh Swachh Sundargarh initiative has transformed rural waste management in Odisha. Engaging over 470 women, it has processed 360 metric tonnes of plastic waste and generated Rs 17 lakhs in revenue, empowering rural women and promoting sustainability.

What if you could beautify the Himalayas this year instead of adding to the growing problem of pollution the mountains are experiencing? Our winter campaign calls you to donate Rs 500 to help clean up operations being conducted by Healing Himalayas Foundation.

Don’t throw away your puja offerings — compost them! Here is a guide on how to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for a healthier garden and a greener planet.

Once a towering dump, Delhi’s Bhalswa landfill is now fuelling change. By upcycling 100 tonnes of legacy waste into 50,000 eco-bricks, Vipul Singh and Gunraagh Talwar are proving that even garbage mountains can be rebuilt into hope.

When Dr Ruby Makhija became RWA secretary, she set out to fix one problem in her Delhi colony. Eight years later, not a single bag of waste has reached the landfill — and the numbers will surprise you.

Once hit by a deadly plague, Surat is now India’s cleanest city. With smart tech, community effort, and a Rs 500 crore waste economy, it shows how cleanliness can become a habit.

Driven by a passion to support education, Pritu Chaudhary’s ‘Little Leaf’ recycles waste paper to create notebooks for underprivileged children in Pune. This initiative turns waste into valuable learning tools, promoting hope, sustainability, and brighter futures for those who need it most.

From food labels and farming to sexual health, composting, and civic action — meet the five digital creators nominated for Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by M3M Foundation, for proving that online content can spark lasting offline impact.

Samvit Govindani and Shaurya Sharma are tackling plastic pollution by turning discarded PVC banners into stylish everyday products. Their initiative, ‘Project ReFlex’, empowers women from low-income backgrounds by providing steady work and income, turning environmental challenges into meaningful opportunities.