Costa Rica Society Launches Zero-Waste Project Through CSR
Wet waste processing begins, with dry, recyclable and e-waste management planned in phases
Pimpri-Chinchwad : Promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development, Costa Rica Cooperative Housing Society in Wakad has launched a ‘Zero Waste Initiative’ aimed at improving waste management within the residential complex. The initiative was inaugurated by former corporator Rahul Kalate.
The project is being implemented with support from the SORT Program, undertaken under the CSR initiative of Mothers Company, with the objective of making waste management at the society more scientific, sustainable and environment-friendly.
As part of the initial phase, the society will be provided with aero bins, stands, cocopeat and other equipment required for processing wet waste. Workers involved in waste management at the society will also receive training and guidance for three months on proper waste segregation, processing, maintenance and management of the output generated through the process.
Regular monitoring of the waste-management process will also be undertaken to ensure effective implementation of the initiative.
The society has constituted an 11-member Zero Waste Committee to oversee the project. The committee will undertake awareness activities among residents, visit individual homes to educate residents about waste segregation, distribute information material and flyers, and monitor various stages of waste management.
At present, the focus is on proper segregation of wet and dry waste. In subsequent phases, the society plans to introduce separate management systems for bio-waste, plastic and other recyclable materials, as well as electronic waste.
The society also plans to coordinate with recycling agencies so that maximum possible waste can be processed or recycled at the society level itself.
Speaking at the inauguration, Rahul Kalate said waste management was an equally important responsibility of citizens and housing societies along with the municipal corporation.
“Costa Rica Society’s initiative can serve as an example for other housing societies. If waste is properly segregated and processed at the point where it is generated, it can certainly help reduce the burden on the municipal corporation’s waste-management system,” Kalate said.
He added that the initiative would begin with wet-waste processing and gradually expand to the management of dry waste, plastic, recyclable materials and e-waste at the society level.
“Through active participation from residents, proper training and continuous monitoring, it is possible to move towards a zero-waste model,” Kalate said.
The initiative, launched around the occasion of Ganeshotsav, also aims to promote an environment-friendly lifestyle. Residents of other housing societies were urged to actively participate in similar waste-management initiatives.
Rohit Sawant, Pravin Chhetri, Gaurav Suryawanshi, Digambar Bodke, Prasad Aane, Sonali Tembe, Girish Shinde, Sudeep Kar Gupta, Raju Sharma, Sameer Pawat, Nilesh Ghinmine and several residents were present at the inauguration.
