Bengaluru: As the Karnataka government’s ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign focuses on clearing construction debris and public spaces, Bengaluru residents are also finding new ways to declutter their homes through a growing network of recycling, donation and reuse services.
With repair culture declining and unused household items piling up, several organisations are offering doorstep collection services that encourage responsible disposal instead of dumping waste in landfills.
Doorstep collection for bulky household waste
To tackle illegal dumping of bulky waste, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) launched the Dclutter app in May, offering free Sunday doorstep collection of items such as sofas, cots, mattresses and footwear.
According to BSWML, the service has received over 6,500 requests and completed more than 4,600 collections, with nearly 90 per cent of the collected waste being recycled or upcycled.
Another platform, Share At Door Step, collects reusable household items including furniture, baby products and sports equipment, delivering them to NGOs and charitable organisations for a convenience fee.
Recycling e-waste and reusable goods
Services such as ScrapUncle, Ecocrew and Trash To Cash help residents dispose of paper, plastic, electronic waste and old appliances responsibly.
Ecocrew says it has diverted around 23 million kg of waste from landfills over the past three years. The company also operates thrift stores where second-hand furniture and electronics are sold at affordable prices after basic quality checks.
Giving clothes and books a second life
For unwanted clothing, platforms such as NoKasa and Got Old Clothes, an initiative by Hasiru Dala and Saamuhika Shakti, collect garments for resale, donation or recycling.
Residents can also donate old novels, textbooks and comics to popular bookstores like Blossom Book House and The Bookworm, both of which offer doorstep pick-up services for books in good condition.
Meanwhile, ecoSansar is encouraging people to reuse glass bottles and jars by collecting, cleaning and redistributing them to small businesses instead of sending them for recycling.
The growing number of such initiatives reflects Bengaluru’s increasing focus on sustainable living, helping households reduce waste while supporting recycling, reuse and charitable causes.