Contributed by Mahesh Pandya, Paryavaran Mitra
Paryavaran Mitra’s Efforts to Promote Zero Waste
India’s remarkable journey of economic growth and development has brought with it a modern dilemma – an escalating plastic waste crisis. The rapid industrialization and urbanization of the country have significantly increased the consumption of plastic products leading to dire consequences on the environment.
When we dive into statistics it shows us the real picture of the problem and the urgent need for sustainable solutions:
- India has an annual production of plastic of over 20 million tonnes.
- Single-use plastics account for a substantial portion of the plastic waste generated in India. These items often end up in landfills, water bodies, and streets.
- According to estimates, India recycles only about 60% of the total plastic waste generated.
- With over 60,000 tons of plastic waste entering the marine ecosystem annually.
- Burning of plastic waste releases harmful toxins into the environment risking biodiversity.
The characteristic appearance of Paryavaran Mitra on plastic waste awareness and working with stakeholders are some small yet efficacious steps towards the abatement of plastic pollution.
Waste Connect on 20th January 2023 was a stakeholder meeting organized by Paryavaran Mitra in which waste pickers, environmentalists, and experts from various fields participated. The discussion was regarding regular stable income, better working conditions for rag pickers, upliftment of the waste picker community, and ensuring a better linkage between different stakeholders. The final decision was to represent each issue to the municipal corporation together.
Due to the intervention of Paryavaran Mitra, the Government of Gujarat declared a welfare policy for waste pickers. If they collect single-use plastics and multi-layer plastic then they will get 3 Rs. per kilo up to 15 kg per day maximum for 15 days in a month. But that’s not sufficient and we are trying our best to increase the limits of days, volume, and price.
Paryavaran Mitra is demanding the government to segregate waste at its source. As in most cities of Gujarat, segregation does not happen at the source.
Ahmedabad Zero Waste Fair on 22nd January 2023 was organized on the occasion of “International Zero Waste Month 2023”, as a series of events in collaboration with Gujarat Pollution Control Board. At this fair, students from 15 schools in Ahmedabad City participated and presented their projects. Paryavran Mitra also invited stakeholders to a seminar in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Gujarat Pollution Control Board to create awareness about plastic pollution among stakeholders.
Green Catalyst, the youth wing of Paryavaran Mitra organized 10 community awareness programs titled: Lifestyle for Environment – Challenges, Solutions and Initiatives in different localities of Ahmedabad in May – June 2023 with Lok Manch and St. Xavier’s Social Service Society. The attempt was to take aim at some common environmental issues such as waste disposal, solid waste management, plastic waste generation, water pollution, climate change, and air pollution with a special focus on Lifestyle for the environment i.e., how we as individuals can bring change in our day-to-day lives that is sustainable and helps in conserving and protecting our environment. Green Catalyst volunteers of Paryavaran Mitra worked collectively to put together a 10-minute skit. The program was started by asking questions to the audience. The skit advocated towards the use of cloth bags rather than plastic ones. It was made interesting for the audience by familiarizing cloth bags as gifts on answering correctly the series of questions about the skit.
GC volunteers are in regular communication with waste pickers. The role of Paryavaran Mitra is to sensitize GC for human rights. Waste pickers are generally climate refugees who migrated from BanasKantha district (North Gujarat) to the big city of Ahmedabad. As the region is semi-arid and agriculture depends only on monsoon and is uncertain these days due to climate change, they shifted to picking plastics in the city.
Paryavaran Mitra also aided the waste pickers during Covid-19 by providing them with ration kits according to their needs and requirements.
In summation, the indefatigable efforts of Paryavaran Mitra are contributing to ameliorating the scourge of plastic pollution and promoting zero waste. Through assiduous advocacy, relentless awareness campaigns, and collaborative initiatives, we have caused a metanoia in society’s perception of plastic waste, fostering a nascent era of eco-consciousness.