Green Action Week (GAW 2024)

OVERVIEW

The Problem

According to a study published in the Journal of Urban Management (December 2021), the 62 million tons (MT) of waste generated annually in India includes 7.9 MT of hazardous waste, 5.6 MT of plastic waste, 1.5 MT of e-waste, and 0.17 MT of biomedical waste. Moreover, the Indian Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has projected that annual waste generation in India will increase to 165 MT by 2030.

Until now, most municipal solid waste (MSW) is disposed at landfills or unmanaged dumpsites, which not only causes greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental, social and economic problems, but also disturbs operations of existing composting facilities. The hurdles include an absence of waste segregation-at-source, deficient management capacities, a lack of data regarding waste composition as well as insufficient financing and enforcement of existing regulations and policies.

Objectives

1. Consumer Empowerment: Understanding the lifecycle of the products—from manufacture to disposal—makes them appreciate the value of eco-friendly alternatives. Empowered consumers would be more willing to purchase from sustainable brands leading to the increase in demand and therefore the market will have to offer greener products and services. Not only will the efforts in education and clear labeling help distinguish truly sustainable products from those greenwashing, but also consumers will be empowered with the true difference of their informed choices. 

2. Encourage Community Involvement: Community programs to be encouraged through the sharing community workshops, which educate and make residents involved in sustainable practices such as composting, upcycling, to build in a collective effort toward a circular economy.

3. Environmental Protection: Reusing and recycling products will help protect natural resources and limit biodiversity loss. A circular economy strives to utilize waste and resources as efficiently as possible, putting minimal pressure on the natural ecosystems and therefore mitigating climate change. 

4. Conservation of Resources: The practices in the circular economy focus on reusing, recycling, and reusing materials to conserve the precious natural resources. The environmental benefits from the efficient use of materials and reduced energy consumption related to production, and resources are guaranteed to be available for future generations.

What is Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Commonly known as trash or garbage that is discarded by households and collected by the municipality is known as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). It consists of everyday items such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries. This comes from our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. This also emphasises the importance of sustainable materials management which includes the  use and reuse of materials in the most productive and sustainable ways across their entire life cycle.

Challenges

Currently, In India around 377 million urban dwellers generate an estimated 55 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per year. India is among the largest producers of polymers and among the largest generators of un-managed plastic waste leaching into terrestrial and marine ecosystems. 

Based on projections, this number will rise drastically to 125 million tonnes annually by 2031. This trend highlights the urgent requirement for developing a solution that addresses the root causes of waste generation.

From the consumer perspective, the challenge is the lack of a circular economy practices. The prevalent linear consumption and disposable pattern depletes resources, degrades the environment, and generates waste. Products manufactured are used and then thrown away, continuing the cycle of waste and harm towards the environment. Common challenges consumers face includes limited product portfolios for sustainable consumption, high costs of sustainable alternatives, information shortage regarding the purchase impact and awareness on sustainable environmental practices.

Currently, only 8 per cent of plastic in India gets recycled, 29 per cent is mismanaged, and the rest is incinerated or dumped. But India also has an economy and culture that repairs, re-uses and recycles its resources. 

STRATEGY

Workshop with consumers along with experts & environmentalists 

This workshop aims to:

1.Provide tools and tips on how to shop more sustainably, such as choosing products with less packaging, how to do waste management etc.

2.Offer resources for identifying eco-friendly brands and certifications.

3.Encourage the idea of reusing and sharing within the community.

4. Educate consumers on how to reduce energy consumption at home through simple actions like using energy-efficient appliances, unplugging devices, and optimizing heating and cooling

Workshop with Women & young girls 

This workshop aims at:

1. Composting and creating a zero-waste kitchen (showcasing how to use food scraps creatively to make new dishes ,reduce food waste.

2. Demonstrating how to make eco-friendly cleaning products using common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.

3. Providing  guidance for basic repairs and fostering a repair culture through sharing community efforts. 

Workshop with Children & Youth

This workshop aims to

1. Teach children how to plant and care for a small garden using recycled containers.

2. Conduct experiments that teach children about biodegradation, composting, and the impact of waste on the environment. Include hands-on activities like creating mini compost bins.

3. Use recycled materials like paper, plastic bottles, and cardboard to create art projects.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

1.Educated and empowered consumers will make the right sustainable choice.

2.Collaborative efforts within the sharing community will be strengthened.

3.Economic gains will be realized through reduced waste and adoption of sustainable practices.

4.A positive environmental impact will be observed, particularly in waste management and the adoption of renewable  sources.

5.Long-term sustainability will be promoted as a key outcome.