My Waste My Responsibility”, is the mantra for No Dumping, a non-profit organisation that aims at having cities without dumpsites. The organisation has been working in the field of waste management since January 2016. From waste collection to segregation to processing and safe disposal of waste, the NGO not only handles waste efficiently, but it is also making weddings and parties go waste free.
Started by three youngsters, Suresh Bhandari, Saranraj and Prashanth, the group has now 15 active members and volunteers who support them in events and in spreading the message of waste management.
The focus is to not burden the landfills with unsegregated, non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste. To achieve their objective of no dumping, the organisation is helping individuals, organisations, and institutions in segregating and managing the waste.
How Does ‘No Dumping’ Work?
Waste is collected from different locations including apartments, associations, and airport. The waste which is collected by the team is already segregated into three broad categories, organic waste, inorganic waste and sanitary waste. The waste segregation is done by the waste generators only. While organic waste is sent for composting, inorganic waste is again separated to recyclable and non-recyclable waste. Recyclable waste goes for recycling and non-recyclable finds use as Alternative Fuel Resource (AFR).
As of now, sanitary waste goes to corporation landfill, but the team is working on finding a solution to treat sanitary waste.
How ‘No Dumping’ Makes Weddings Go Plastic Free And Manage Waste
No use of plastic and waste management at wedding or be it at any event is possible only if the caterer and the organisers agree to it”, says P Roopa, community relations and research and development head at No Dumping.
At weddings and parties, disposable plastic cutlery is used without giving a thought to the plastic waste being generated and the burden it will put on landfills. To minimise the use of plastic, the NGO started with ‘No Dumping’ Wedding. Under this initiative, plastic water bottles, glasses, plates are replaced with steel glasses and re-usable plastic tumblers.
Our first choice is always steel. If caterers have enough steel utensils to serve the guests or if we are able to rent adequate amount of steel glasses and plates then we go for that. Else, we use re-usable plastic tumblers with a lid.
Last month, Governor of Tamil Nadu, Banwarilal Purohit visited the NGO and interacted with the volunteers. He not only understood the process, but also appreciated the efforts of the NGO.
Currently, around 4,000 households have adopted the practice of segregating waste, voluntarily.
No rule, no law can make you segregate and manage waste. It is us who can be the change. If we spend little time and efforts then we can bring a big change. A small change in our behavior and learning process and be the harbinger of change, signs off P Roopa.
Point of the matter is, life cannot continue like this. Only
“Change” can tackle climate change and thereby protect our
children.
