Earth5R

Case Study: Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Program by Earth5R (2015-2023) INTRODUCTION From 2015 to 2023, Earth5R initiated a large-scale solid waste management program focused on waste segregation, particularly the management of plastic waste. With the participation of an average of 10,000 citizens each year, the program focused on preventing recyclable waste from going to landfills and instead promoting proper segregation and recycling practices. This initiative aligns with the growing need for companies engaged in plastic packaging to reduce their environmental footprint and improve sustainability practices across their supply chains. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT Plastic waste, if not properly segregated, often ends up in landfills or oceans, where it takes hundreds of years to decompose. As plastic is a major component of solid waste, companies involved in manufacturing and using plastic packaging are under increasing scrutiny to adopt responsible waste management practices. Th...

Powai Lake, a crucial ecosystem in Mumbai, suffers from significant pollution due to improper waste disposal by visitors and illegal dumping from small offices and factories. Surrounded by high-density residential areas, colleges, and major global companies in a special economic zone, Powai Lake faces the challenge of managing large amounts of waste daily. In response, Earth5R initiated a four-year program (2018-2023) involving local citizens, companies, NSS groups, and NGOs to tackle this issue through weekly cleanups, waste segregation, and recycling. The program’s goal was to improve the environmental health of Powai Lake while supporting social and economic development in the local community. THE PROBLEM Powai Lake receives around half a ton of waste each day, consisting primarily of single-use plastics, metal cans, glass bottles, electronic waste, and even medical waste. This accumulation of waste not only pollutes the lake but also affects the surrounding environment and ecosyste...