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EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21

New York, 23-27 June 1997

SUCCESS STORIES FROM INDIA

Ahmedabad Abhiyan: "Zero Garbage on Road"

Location Ahmedabad City, Gujarat State, India.
Responsible organization Clean Ahmedabad Abhiyan Committee
Description The Clean Ahmedabad Abhiyan Committee was formed by concerned Citizens, Voluntary organizations and the Municipal Corporation to research and find permanent and sustainable solutions to the health hazard and sanitation problems caused by the decomposing garbage on urban roads. Through public awareness, households were involved with segregating wet and dry garbage. A special bag with three compartments was developed to segregate and store recyclables -paper, plastic and miscellaneous. The heavy duty bags are reusable and last for two years. Segregated recyclables are collected from each house by "Rag-collectors" who have been each assigned to 100-200 houses. The increasing multi-storey apartment societies use "community bins" for collection of kitchen waste from 30 families. A specially designed truck removes and replaces full bins. A low-cost kitchen waste digester and composer has also been developed.
Issues addressed Solid waste management; recycling; public health; public awareness and participation
Objectives
  • "Zero Garbage on Road"
  • Minimum landfill - Maximum recycling
  • Creation of economical benefits for poor through self-employment
  • Redesign of municipal waste collection system
Results achieved
  • Establishment of a system of collection of dry and wet waste for recycling and use as compost.
  • Income generation and confidence building for rag-collectors through a cooperative organization.
  • Involvement of women's organizations in organizing the collectors.
  • Improvement of health standards in the community.
  • Development of a low cost kitchen waste digester.
Lessons learned
  • Organization of voluntary participation for benefit of all levels of the community.
  • Recycling focus.
  • Use of media to relay frequent messages on cleanliness.
  • Development of low-cost appropriate technology.
Financing Voluntary contributions.
Contact Clean Ahmedabad Abhiyan
A-4, 2nd Floor, Arjun Towers, Satellite Corner
Ahmedabad - 380 015, Gujarat State, India
Tel: +91 79 656 4794
Fax: +91 79 408 628

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1 November 1997