In an ambitious push towards sustainable living, 10 gram panchayats in DK have been chosen for a zero-waste initiative in collaboration with Hasiru Dala. While strides have been made in streamlining waste collection, sanitary waste has emerged as a major hurdle.
“We receive nearly 200 kg of sanitary waste daily—some panchayats alone produce up to 300 kg,” revealed Nagaraj Raghav Anchan, project manager at Hasiru Dala. To combat this, the team introduced menstrual cups, promoting their use across seven panchayats through awareness sessions, WhatsApp groups, and medical support. Anchan noted that 90% of participating women made the switch after the sessions.
Beyond menstrual hygiene, Hasiru Dala, in partnership with Sanjeevani self-help group, implemented door-to-door waste collection and IEC campaigns, significantly improving community participation. With backing from the SBI Foundation, the team has been able to collect nearly one tonne of waste per day, directing wet waste to compost units and dry waste to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).
The initiative also includes school outreach sessions on Trashonomics, aimed at instilling eco-awareness in students. DK zilla panchayat deputy secretary Jayalakshmi Raikod emphasized that while change is happening, altering public mindset will take time.
A recent clean-up in Neermarga showcased the project’s community-driven power. 2.5 tonnes of waste were removed from an unofficial dumping ground, thanks to local volunteers. Hasiru Dala now plans a month-long awareness drive to promote segregation, responsible disposal, and community accountability.
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