Kolkata: In a bid to make Durga Puja celebrations cleaner and more environmentally responsible, the Indian Plastics Federation (IPF) and Kolkata-based Tandhan Group have joined hands to launch a Zero-Waste Durga Puja initiative across seven prominent puja pandals in Kolkata.
The initiative focuses on waste segregation, recycling and responsible waste disposal during the city’s biggest annual festival. It aims to encourage puja committees, volunteers, food vendors and visitors to take collective responsibility for keeping public spaces clean amid the festive rush.
The campaign will cover Tala Prottoy, College Square, Harish Park Bayam Samiti, Abasar Sarbojonin Durgotsab Samiti in Bhawanipur, Shingi Park, Mudiali and Salt Lake Central Park.
Separate Bins and Recycling Measures at Puja Pandals
As part of the initiative, dedicated waste collection and segregation bins will be installed at participating pandals, food-stall areas and other high-footfall locations. Volunteers will assist with waste collection and segregation throughout the celebrations to ensure that different types of waste are directed to appropriate processing channels.
Plastic waste collected through the campaign will be sent for suitable processing and recycling, with the aim of converting it into useful products such as tables and chairs. Organic waste, including leftover food, will be directed towards composting and the production of manure and eco-friendly fertilisers wherever feasible.
The measures will be introduced at each participating pandal on the date of its inauguration, allowing waste-management practices to become part of the festivities from the outset.
The initiative is being undertaken in the spirit of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Bengal campaigns, with the organisers highlighting the importance of public participation and responsible waste disposal. According to the organisers, the campaign has received encouragement from the West Bengal government, along with cooperation from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
IPF Calls for Responsible Use and Disposal of Plastic
Amit Agarwal, President of the Indian Plastics Federation, said the organisation has been promoting awareness about the responsible use and disposal of plastic, including through educational initiatives in schools across Kolkata.
He said the Zero-Waste Durga Puja campaign would take that message beyond classrooms and into public spaces, where large numbers of people gather during the festival. He added that the initiative aims to make waste segregation and recycling visible, accessible and easy to practise during celebrations.
Prachi Jalan, Director of Tandhan Group, said the scale of Durga Puja makes responsible waste management particularly important. She emphasised that simple actions, such as putting waste in the appropriate bins and ensuring recyclable materials are processed correctly, can contribute to cleaner celebrations.
She also acknowledged the support of the West Bengal government and the cooperation extended by the two civic bodies, expressing hope that the initiative would encourage greater public participation in sustainable practices.
Appeal to Puja Revellers to Keep the City Clean
Dr. Subrata Gupta, Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, welcomed the initiative and appealed to citizens to collect and dispose of waste responsibly during Durga Puja.
He said the campaign across seven pandals was a welcome step towards raising environmental awareness among puja revellers and expressed hope that the effort would develop into a larger movement in the coming years.
Through the joint initiative, IPF and Tandhan Group aim to demonstrate that festive celebrations and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. With the involvement of civic authorities, puja committees, volunteers and visitors, the campaign seeks to promote better waste-management practices and leave Kolkata with a cleaner environment after the festivities.
