Household trash often ends up in landfills or incineration plants, contributing to environmental degradation. Despite the universal acknowledgment of the benefits of recycling, only nine percent of the world's plastics are successfully recycled, as per an OECD report. In New Delhi, India, two brothers, Vihaan and Nav Aggarwal, have taken a proactive approach to enhance recycling and waste management practices.
In their endeavor towards a zero-waste future, the brothers established the "Brothers Initiative for Social Change" - OneStepGreener. This organization focuses on education and social campaigns to create awareness and drive practical solutions.
OneStepGreener's core solution involves waste management, where households segregate waste into hazardous, wet, and dry categories. The organization utilizes its electric truck to pick up dry segregated waste from homes twice or thrice a month, promoting responsible waste disposal.
Micro-segregation, a unique process introduced by OneStepGreener, involves sorting dry items like bottles, cans, and paper into smaller groups. This meticulous approach ensures that various materials reach appropriate recyclers, preventing items from ending up in landfills.
The brothers emphasize the importance of micro-segregation to increase recycling rates. Items that recyclers cannot process might otherwise contribute to environmental issues when discarded in landfills.
The Ghazipur landfill collapse and subsequent environmental issues inspired the brothers to take action. Recognizing the connection between their waste and air pollution, Vihaan and Nav initiated waste segregation at home. Their efforts expanded rapidly, with over 50 neighborhoods participating in recyclable waste collection across three Indian cities.
Apart from waste management, OneStepGreener actively combats climate change by planting trees in urban areas. Their first project, completed in 2019, involved planting 300 native trees. The organization's leadership extends to eco-education projects and collaborations with schools.
More information: https://www.onestepgreener.org/
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@OneStepGreener