Sustainable Waste Management: Insights from Bastar’s Workshop

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State Level Plastic Waste Management Workshop: A Model for Rural-Urban Convergence

On May 21st and 22nd, 2024, the S.G. College of Agriculture & Research Station in Kumhrawand, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, became a hub of innovation and collaboration for waste management. The State Level Plastic Waste Management Workshop, organized with the support of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, showcased the remarkable achievements of the “Rural & Urban Landscape Free of Dry & Plastic Waste” project, setting new benchmarks for sustainable practices under SBM(G).

The workshop spotlighted the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) established in Bastar as a part of the collaborative efforts involving the District Administration Bastar, HDFC Bank, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), and SWMS. This facility stands as a beacon of effective waste management, currently connecting 82 of the targeted 114 villages in Bastar and serving as an exemplary model for rural-urban waste management convergence.

The first day of the workshop was designed to arm the 63 participants, including district consultants and SBM coordinators from across Chhattisgarh, with comprehensive knowledge about plastics and waste management operations. Speakers from the CEE team, such as Mr. Prabhjot Sodhi (via virtual address), Mr. Rohit Maskara, Mr. Ezra George, and Mr. Akshay Bhoite, provided a thorough overview of the MRF approach. They discussed challenges, best practices, sustainability plans, and operational strategies essential for replicating the success of the Bastar model in other districts.

Key topics included the importance of meticulous collection and segregation systems, the need for transparency and traceability in information flow, and innovative recycling methods such as mechanical, physical, and chemical recycling. The session emphasized moving from a linear “take-make-use-throw” model to a circular economy approach encapsulated by “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Repurpose-Redesign-Remanufacture.”

The second day kicked off with a comprehensive Q&A session, fostering a culture of collaborative and open communication among participants and officials. Mr. Amit Bhatia, CEO of Janpad Panchayat Jagdalpur, shared insights into the project’s implementation in Adaval village. State SBM Consultant shared the states experience of the PWMU.

The event was graced by prominent officials including Mr. Vijay Dayaram IAS, District Collector, Mr. Prakash Sarway SAS, CEO of Zila Panchayat, Mr. Haresh Mandavi SAS, Commissioner of Nagar Nigam, and Mr. Birendra Bahadur, Additional CEO of Zila Panchayat. Their presence underscored the workshop’s significance and facilitated direct engagement with the attendees.

Mr. Vijay Dayaram IAS delivered an inspiring address, applauding the team’s hard work and dedication. He highlighted the success of the MRF and stressed the need for continued teamwork and collaboration to achieve the project’s goals.

A special moment was dedicated to honoring safai sathis from the SLRM centers and rural areas. Safai didis from nine centers, including Adaval, Upanpal, Kurandi, Khamargaon, and Kalcha, were recognized for their contributions to the recycling initiative with cheques for income generated by selling recyclables to the MRF facility in Jagdalpur. This recognition celebrated their efforts and highlighted the tangible benefits of recycling initiatives. The workshop concluded with the distribution of SATO Taps to all visiting district coordinator teams, symbolizing the commitment to promoting hygiene and sanitation.

The State Level Plastic Waste Management Workshop in Bastar not only highlighted the achievements of the MRF but also set a blueprint for similar initiatives across the state and beyond. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and fostering a collaborative spirit, the workshop underscored the potential for scalable, sustainable waste management solutions. The event marked a significant milestone in advancing the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission- Gramin and showcased Bastar as a model for rural-urban convergence in waste management.

To know more, reach out to:

  • Rupesh Rathore, State Consultant at rupeshrathore@gmail.com
  • Prabhjot Sodhi MBE, Senior Program Director, CEE at prabhjot.sodhi@ceeindia.org
  • Ayush Rathore, Project Officer-Bastar, CEE at ayush.rathore@ceeindia.org


Published by sbmgramin

Swachh Bharat Mission is India’s first mass movement for a clean nation. Launched on October 2, 2014, the Prime Minister’s flagship programme has made the issue of sanitation a national priority. The campaign seeks to make the country open defecation free by October 2, 2019, as a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. We, at the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation manage the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), under which we are constantly working towards the improvement of cleanliness in rural India. Across the country, Swachh Bharat has become a massive movement led by people’s participation. We welcome you to our blog, where we have compiled some of the many many success stories of people's participation that we receive from the States and districts.

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