A success story

In 2017, Abhisht Kusum Gupta filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) concerning the open dumping of municipal solid waste in Noida's Sector 138A. The petition highlighted that the Noida Authority was regularly transporting solid waste to this site and dumping it carelessly, resulting in a pervasive stench affecting nearby residents. The dump yard was initially established as a temporary solution but continued to operate beyond its intended period. Gupta's plea sought immediate cessation of waste dumping at the site and requested that no construction be permitted in the area until a designated waste disposal location was identified. The NGT acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and issued notices to the Ministry of Urban Development, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Noida Authority, seeking their responses.

At Sector 137, Noida, the societies have adopted several innovative measures to become a zero-waste community. One of the key features is the onsite processing of wet waste through a specialized machine that converts organic material into fuel briquettes, eliminating the need to send waste outside the premises. Residents play an active role in this initiative by segregating their waste at the source, separating wet and dry waste in their homes. To streamline the collection process, a mobile app has been introduced that allows users to schedule dry waste pickups and specify the type of material—such as glass, plastic, metal, or wood. To encourage active participation, the community has implemented an incentive system where residents earn wallet credits and environmental savings points for compliant behavior. Additionally, domestic staff are trained regularly and rewarded for ensuring that waste segregation begins from the kitchen level itself, reinforcing the society’s commitment to sustainability.