This Rajasthan Village Turns Daily Waste Into Clean Energy With Tech

Before

After

Harnessing technology and community effort, Aandhi village in Rajasthan is proving that waste isn’t a problem; it’s an opportunity.

For years, Aandhi faced an overwhelming waste crisis: food scraps piled up, farm waste was left to rot, and untreated wastewater polluted the surroundings.

Then, something changed. With the support of scientists and local authorities, the village launched a mission — to turn waste into wealth and become a zero-waste village.

It began with a simple question: What if waste could be used as a resource? The answer led to multiple groundbreaking interventions, each designed to be effective, affordable, and easy to replicate.

At the heart of the village, a Bio-Methanation Plant was installed at the local govt school. Every day, food scraps from the school and nearby homes are collected and fed into the system.

Instead of rotting in the open, this waste is now producing biogas used to power stoves and generate electricity — providing clean energy while eliminating waste.

Nearby, a Vermifiltration System was set up at the Community Health Center, using earthworms and microbes to treat wastewater.

The result? Wastewater that was once a breeding ground for disease is now clean enough for reuse, reducing pollution and ensuring water security.

Aandhi didn’t stop there. Another major issue was the sewage polluting the village pond. The solution? Artificial wetlands to treat the sewage before it reaches the pond.

The once-contaminated, smelly water source is now clean and odour-free, supporting fish and birds at the pond while replenishing groundwater.

Farm waste, too, was a big challenge. Every harvest season, tons of dried leaves, husks, and crop residue were either burned or left to decay.

Aandhi introduced composting pits to turn farm waste into organic manure. Instead of relying on chemical fertilisers, farmers now use their own compost to enrich the soil.

Instead of dumping or burning plastic waste, villagers also started collecting, segregating and sending plastic waste to recycling units.

Local women played a key role in this effort, organising collection drives and spreading awareness about reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic.

Even medical waste, a growing problem in rural healthcare centres, found a sustainable end. A biomedical waste treatment unit was set up to safely dispose of used syringes, bandages, & more.

Where waste once polluted streets and ponds, today, fresh air, clean energy, safe water, and fertile soil are the new reality. Aandhi is on its way to being truly zero-waste!