100% Door-to-Door Collection and Segregation at Source

The city's success isn't just about winning an award; it's about a complete cultural and infrastructural transformation that has made cleanliness a way of life for its citizens.

 

The foundation of Indore's model is its 100% door-to-door waste collection, a system that covers every household and commercial establishment in the city. The process is a seamless, daily operation. A fleet of over 850 GPS-enabled vehicles, known for their catchy jingles, goes around the city collecting waste. The most crucial part of this process is the segregation at the source, a habit Indore has successfully ingrained in its residents. Households are encouraged to separate their waste into six distinct categories:

 

Wet waste: organic kitchen waste

 

Dry waste: paper, plastic, metal, and glass

 

Domestic hazardous waste: sanitary pads, diapers, and expired medicines

 

Domestic biomedical waste: masks and gloves

 

E-waste: electronic items

 

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste

 

This segregation at the initial point of generation is a game-changer, as it prevents the mixing of waste, which makes recycling and processing far more efficient.

 

The "Waste-to-Wealth" Model

 

Indore's approach to waste management is not just about disposal; it's about resource recovery. The city has successfully implemented a "waste-to-wealth" model that turns trash into valuable resources.

 

Processing Wet Waste: The segregated wet waste is sent to a state-of-the-art bio-CNG plant, which is the largest of its kind in Asia. This plant processes 550 tonnes of wet waste daily to produce bio-CNG, a clean fuel that powers the city's public transport buses. The organic manure produced as a by-product is sold to farmers, creating a circular economy.

 

Recycling Dry Waste: Dry waste, including plastics, paper, and glass, is sent to material recovery facilities where it is further sorted, cleaned, and sold to recyclers. This not only reduces the amount of waste going to landfills but also creates revenue for the municipal corporation.

 

Managing C&D Waste: Even construction and demolition waste is not wasted. It's processed to create useful materials like paver blocks and road base materials, which are then used in civic projects.

 

This comprehensive processing system has allowed Indore to effectively clear its legacy dumpsite and achieve a state of negligible landfill waste.

 

People-Centric Governance & Public Participation

 

Indore's success is a result of a strong collaboration between the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) and its citizens. The city's administration has used a mix of strong governance and community involvement to drive change.

 

Public Awareness Campaigns: The IMC uses creative and engaging campaigns, like catchy jingles played on garbage trucks and social media initiatives, to educate and motivate people. The city has also introduced initiatives like "Bartan Banks" (utensil banks) to discourage the use of single-use disposables at events and "Jhola Banks" (bag banks) to promote cloth bags.

 

Enforcement: Stricter rules and penalties for littering and improper waste disposal ensure compliance. The IMC also uses technology like CCTV surveillance to monitor public cleanliness and garbage collection routes.

 

Empowering Sanitation Workers: The city has formalized the work of informal waste pickers, known as 'Safai Mitras,' providing them with uniforms, equipment, and a steady income. Their efforts are publicly acknowledged, boosting morale and a sense of shared responsibility.

 

This multi-pronged approach, which blends robust infrastructure with a deeply ingrained civic sense, is what truly sets Indore apart and has allowed it to maintain its status as India's cleanest city for multiple consecutive years. It proves that waste management isn't just a logistical problem but a social one, and solving it requires a collaborative effort from everyone.

 

Is your city also gearing up to be super clean?

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