Delhi: NDMC chief declares Sangli Apartments as 'Anupam Colony' for zero-waste
New Delhi, June 22
New Delhi Municipal Council Chairman Keshav Chandra on Monday declared Sangli Apartments, Copernicus Marg, as an 'Anupam Colony' by unveiling a plaque, recognising it as a model residential community for exemplary waste management and sustainability practices.
'Anupam Colony' is a certification/tag given by the NDMC to colonies that achieve high standards of zero-waste and self-sustainable living.
Sangli Apartments has achieved near 100 per cent source segregation, ensuring every household actively participates in responsible waste management, an official said in a statement.
Chandra said the initiative at Sangli Apartments marks a significant step in strengthening community-led environmental stewardship and promoting a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New Delhi.
The NDMC Chairman said, "The most important thing is the enthusiasm, energy, and spirit with which the residents of this colony have come forward. You can see that the Air Commodore himself is present here, and at every step, the residents' participation has been precise and proactive."
"It is because of this involvement that we have been able to achieve this in such a short period of time," said Chandra.
Earlier, NDMC had conferred the title of 'Anupam Colony' on other residential complexes and colonies, including Jor Bagh, New Moti Bagh, D1, D2, Satya Sadan Officers' Flats, Bharti Nagar, Aradhana (Burmah Shell Cooperative Housing Society Ltd) and Bapu Dham.
Chandra said that to further strengthen citizen participation and encourage responsible disposal practices, most of the 'Anupam Colonies' colonies house an RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Centre, where residents donate items such as clothes, books, and household goods for reuse.
Additionally, a plastic waste collection-cum-vending machine is installed to incentivise the return of plastic bottles, promoting a culture of conscious waste segregation and recycling at the source.
Wet waste from households is treated at an Organic Waste Converter (OWC) to produce compost, which is used to maintain the colony's parks and green areas. Horticulture waste, such as dry leaves and trimmings, is transformed into eco-friendly briquettes, creating a waste-to-wealth model, the official said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great initiative but I hope this isn't just a photo-op. We need to see if other colonies can replicate this success. The real challenge is sustaining this enthusiasm in the long run. The composting and briquette making are excellent ideas though.
As someone who moved to Delhi recently, I'm amazed at the community spirit here. Back in the UK, recycling is mandatory but it's not as community-driven. The organic waste converter making compost for parks is brilliant. We could learn a lot from this. Well done, Sangli Apartments!
Only if all colonies had this kind of discipline! 😊 The wet waste to compost model is exactly what we need. But I wonder how many colonies have the space for an Organic Waste Converter. The government should provide subsidies for smaller communities that want to adopt this.
Good to see an Air Commodore involved - shows that waste management is everyone's responsibility, regardless of rank. The plastic bottle vending machine is a smart way to encourage recycling. But let's be honest, this is a privileged colony. What about the unauthorised colonies where 60% of Delhi lives? They need support too.
This is the way forward! Every Anupam Colony is a step towards Swachh Bharat. The RRR centres are especially important - so many usable items end up in landfills. I hope the NDMC scales this up rapidly. Delhi's air quality problems start with waste burning. This model can help prevent that.
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