In an inspiring move towards sustainable waste management, leaders of North Bengal are seeking innovative ways to turn waste into money, guided by the motto ‘Garbage is cash’ and the belief that ‘Today’s waste is Tomorrow’s Wealth.’ Drawing inspiration from successful waste management practices in developed countries like Sweden and Norway, where waste is processed into usable materials and transported to profitable locations, the Siliguri sub-district council and other district councils in North Bengal are exploring ways to transform the waste problem into a lucrative opportunity.
In a recent day-long discussion organized by the Policy Times Chamber of Commerce, with active cooperation from the Siliguri sub-district council, key leaders and experts gathered to brainstorm solutions. The workshop was attended by prominent figures such as Arun Ghosh, President of Siliguri Divisional Council, Krishna Roy Barman, President of Jalpaiguri, Snigdha Saiva, President of Alipurduar, Chintamani Biha, President of Dinajpur, Roma Reshmi Ekka, Assistant President of Siliguri, Captain Nalini Ranjan Roy, Principal, and Anand Ghosh, Naxalbari Block President.
Various Village Panchayat heads, Block Presidents, and officers, along with international-level domestic waste management organizations, joined the discussion.
At the heart of this movement is 3R ZeroWaste®, a pioneering organization founded with a clear mission to revolutionize waste management practices in India. With a staggering 1.8 Billion tons of waste accumulated since Independence and an annual generation of 80 Million Tons, 3R ZeroWaste® saw the potential to make a difference. Their focus lies in reducing this immense waste pile by reusing it as an alternative to fossil-based feedstock. By doing so, they contribute significantly to the Circular Economy, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, aligning perfectly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2030.
At the workshop, experts from 3R ZeroWaste® MR Shiv Rao Challa including Parash Gupta from Gem Recycling , Debartha Banerjee from Sampurn(E)arth and Amit Korde from Riarn Earthtech shared their expertise and knowledge, guiding the Panchayats towards creating garbage-free communities. Through their innovative approaches, they paved the way for substantial income generation and employment opportunities, emphasizing the importance of local awareness and participation.
A key participant in the discussion was Michael Rada, a European expert, who joined virtually to share insights and experiences from successful waste management practices abroad. Akram Hauq, Director General of Policy Times Chamber and Commerce, highlighted the urgency of the issue, emphasizing the need for collaboration with national and international expert organizations. He stressed the importance of adopting a positive mindset and mental preparation to transform waste management challenges into a multi-billion-dollar business opportunity.
Arun Ghosh, President of Siliguri, expressed their determination to make Siliguri garbage-free, acknowledging the challenges they might face. He emphasized their commitment to seeking solutions, including exploring successful waste management models from other parts of the country and implementing them locally.
In the pursuit of a cleaner, greener future, 3R ZeroWaste® stands as a beacon of innovation, leading the charge towards sustainable waste management practices in North Bengal. Mr Shiv confirmed doe of his dream projects is to create ZeroWaste Villages across India, what better than to start from his home state West Bengal? Through their efforts and the collaborative spirit of the community, the vision of turning waste into wealth is becoming a reality, promising a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow for the region.
3R ZeroWaste is building a World Without Waste.