INDIA. New Delhi: In the midst of global concerns surrounding Single-Use Plastic and waste management, residents of Navjiwan Vihar in South Delhi have taken a significant step towards a sustainable future. The Navjiwan Vihar Resident Welfare Association (RWA), under the guidance of waste management champion Dr. Ruby Makhija, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first RWA in New Delhi to attain Net Zero Status in waste management.
A pioneering approach to waste management
Dr. Ruby Makhija, an ambassador for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and a member of the City Level Taskforce for Plastic Waste Management, along with dedicated residents of Navjiwan Vihar, initiated an innovative approach to address urban waste challenges.
The journey began when MCD officials conducted a workshop on solid waste management, enlightening Dr. Ruby, who was then the Secretary of Navjiwan RWA, and several residents about waste management guidelines and related penalties.
Overcoming initial challenges
The endeavor faced initial skepticism, bureaucratic obstacles, and resistance from the community. Dr. Ruby shares, “Changing people’s behavior is not easy and takes time. However, through comprehensive information dissemination, awareness campaigns via various media, door-to-door propagation, street plays, and involving children, we succeeded.”
She further adds, “Through our IEC and Awareness programs, we have reached out to around 1,000 colonies, 300 Market traders’ associations, 300 colleges, 1,000 schools, 300 spiritual & religious institutions and 100 social clubs to educate and sensitize them to the cause of single-use plastic (SUP).”
Remarkable impact
Gradually more and more residents got sensitized, and all compostable waste was collected from the homes and sent to the pits, where it was converted into compost. Now each household segregates waste before it is taken away by the workers. The 250-household RWA in South Delhi has set an example for other RWAs by achieving a “100 per cent waste segregation at source model” and maintaining the same for the last three and a half years.
With over four years of composting all kitchen waste, Navjiwan Vihar RWA has saved more than five lakh kg of garbage from reaching landfill sites. The colony generates approximately 12,000 kg of compost annually, benefitting workers and promoting a sustainable environment.
Dr. Ruby’s Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation actively discourages local street vendors and residents from using Single-Use Plastic items. The ‘Project Vikalp’ initiative provides cloth bags to street vendors, and residents are encouraged to use them for shopping. The project has resulted in the circulation of over one lakh cloth bags, preventing the usage of approximately one crore plastic bags.
A flourishing market for recycled products
Furthermore, the cloth bag initiative has empowered around 2,000 women by creating a market for recycled yarn, utilizing fabric rejects, and repurposing leftover cuttings from Kurti manufacturing houses and reject bags.
To foster a circular economy, Navjiwan Vihar established the Reduce Reuse Recycle (RRR) Center in partnership with the Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation and other like-minded entities. The RRR Center offers a comprehensive solution for recycling old items like shoes, toys, clothes, utensils, books, stationery, newspapers, and E-waste.
A trailblazing achievement
Navjiwan Vihar RWA’s exceptional efforts in waste management, guided by Dr. Ruby Makhija, have set a remarkable benchmark for efficiency and sustainability. Their successful journey towards Net Zero status showcases the potential for positive change through collective action and innovative approaches to waste management. The RWA’s achievements have garnered recognition, receiving the Swachhata Survekshan award for their commitment to cleanliness and sustainability in recent years.
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