Rapid increase in urbanization and per capita income in India has significantly led to an increase in municipal solid waste generation in the country. Electronic waste and plastic waste have contributed a large amount to the total waste stream in recent years. 

The use of domestic hazardous waste and bio-medical waste last year shot up due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Improper and unscientific disposal of these wastes can be hazardous for human life and the environment. 

Urban India generates 62 million tonnes of waste (MSW) annually, said a 2014 Planning Commission report. It also predicted that the volume will increase to 165 million tonnes by 2030. A huge portion of the untreated waste is dumped irregularly on the outskirts of towns or cities, causing groundwater contamination and air pollution. 

There is, thus, a growing need to detect blind spots in the collection and transportation of waste so that the operation can be made more efficient.

Recycling waste 

However, many organizations and individuals have a different perspective towards waste. For them, the definition of waste has changed over time. Waste is no longer considered as trash or abandoned material, but as an asset or resource that can generate revenue. 

It is not only related to reducing landfill volumes but also reliance on fossil fuels. Globally, many countries have been actively working towards finding the best technologies to utilize waste. The adequate treatment of waste, or sustainable waste management, is essential not only from a sanitation point of view but also due to its economic and environmental values.

Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, along with open defecation and sanitation, waste management is part of the government's agenda. From recycling or reusing plastic bottles, rubber tyres, glass bottles to e-wastes, some companies have tackled waste disposal of all kinds, in their own unique ways. 

Scrapshala

28-year-old Shikha Shah left her high paying job in IIT Chennai and returned to her hometown - Varanasi to start her startup, 'Scrapshala' in 2016. The startup deals in waste management by recycling or reusing old crap. Within a year, the company has successfully recycled more than 20,000 plastic bottles and around 10,000 kilograms of waste.  

They interlink art, creativity and waste into sustainable functional products handcrafted by local Indian artisans. The products are eco friendly, functional and aesthetic.

The company generally takes 2-3 days to convert garbage items into office accessories, upcycled games for kids, furniture, customized gifting products and home and garden decorations. Since Varanasi is the gem of textile industry, the company has recently gotten involved with textile waste as well. 

Scrapshala has also involved itself in recycling e-waste products like CDs into creative home decorative pieces.

The raw material used is sourced ethically. They are designed and handcrafted in a sustainable manner by local artisans in and around Varanasi. Every product is inspired by India' rich culture and carries the struggle of an under-priviledged Indian artisan.

Visit their website to know more. 

Anthill Creations

A group of IITians got together and formed the Anthill Creations in Bengaluru to use scrap tyres to build playgrounds for the underprivileged children. Since its formation in 2014 the company has successfully finished nine projects in four Indian cities and reused 830 scrap tyres to build playground and libraries. 

The first low-cost eco-friendly playground was built at the Disha Seema Care center which was located inside the IIT-Kharagpur campus. Following a 'Do It Yourself' concept, they involved different communities and volunteers for the construction. 

The team gathers tyres scrap from various companies and manufactures and asks them to sponsor low-cost playgrounds costing upto Rs. 20,000.

Visit their website to know more. 

Recycle India 

Prashant Lingam and Aruna Kappagantula started the ‘Recycle India' initiative in 2015 to follow the principle of three R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 

Within two years the couple went on to build a house, water tank and a shelter bus stop all made out of plastic bottles. Eight months back, the couple literally weaved ropes out of thousands of chips packets, tied them up onto a metal frame and created an entire dining table.

The startup aims at community participation in reducing waste generation and believes these creative and colorful recycled furniture and products are a great way to attract people's attention. 

Their startup converts municipal waste like tyres and drums into bright and innovative chairs, tables, dustbins, flowerpots, etc. The couple is also working towards reducing the menace of litter by converting oil drums given by the municipal corporations into dustbins. 

Currently, the couple is in the process of developing furniture, especially chairs from cardboards that are usually abandoned from flex hoardings and donate it to the government schools.