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Delhi Colony Achieves Zero Waste Success
2 Oct
Summary
- Chanakyapuri homes achieve zero waste through local processing.
- Wet waste becomes compost for residents, dry waste is recycled.
- Scaling the model faces challenges, primarily due to space constraints.
In Chanakyapuri, Delhi, a 'zero waste colony' initiative is successfully processing waste from over 300 homes. Initiated in June 2025, this model has earned the 'Anupam Colony' zero waste certification from the NDMC, with nine blocks receiving this tag to date. Each morning, dedicated collectors gather segregated wet and dry waste, transporting it to a local Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
At the MRF, wet waste is composted using aerobic methods over two to four months, with the resulting compost returned to residents for garden use. Horticulture waste also contributes to this process. Dry waste is sorted into categories like PET bottles and paper, then sold to scrap dealers for recycling.
This decentralized approach is cost-effective, costing approximately 3.5 lakh to set up, and has lower operational expenses than traditional mass waste processing. However, replicating this model across Delhi faces significant challenges, most notably a lack of available space for establishing new MRFs. Educating residents on waste segregation remains an ongoing effort for the NDMC.
