Pune’s SWaCH Waste Pickers Collect 125 Tons of Nirmalya, Promoting Sustainable Ganpati Festival Practices

Pune, 20th September 2024: SWaCH waste pickers once again displayed their commitment to sustainable Ganpati celebrations by closing the loop with their “Nirmalya to Nisarga” initiative. This year, led by over 200 dedicated SWaCH waste pickers, lakhs of citizens were able to send votive offerings at 46 immersion centers across the city back to nature.

Working tirelessly till midnight at Nirmalya collection centers, the waste pickers not only participated in the festivities alongside the citizens but also successfully collected about 125 tons of Nirmalya for composting, managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and segregated up to 34 tons of dry waste. Their relentless efforts highlight their unwavering dedication to the city’s environmental and cultural preservation.

“Nirmalya to Nisarga,” a pioneering initiative running for over 15 years, has transformed how Pune’s environmentally conscious citizens celebrate Ganpati immersions. Waste pickers, with the support of volunteers from corporate groups and students ensured votive offerings such as flowers, leaves, and durva were separated for composting during the immersions on the 12th and 17th of September. This initiative, over the last 8 years, in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), has enabled waste pickers to collect over 800 tons of Nirmalya separately during Ganpati and ensure that these offerings return to nature sustainably.

Vidya Naiknaware, a SWaCH Board Member, shared her insights on how citizens’ attitudes have evolved: “In the past 15 years, we’ve seen an incredible shift. We worked for this city during the worst times, like COVID pandemic, and the best times, like festivals. We are always here for Pune. Now, most people know that SWaCH waste pickers collect Nirmalya to protect both nature and culture. Many even share Prasad with us and invite us for Aarti. We are also grateful to the Ganesh Mandals for spreading awareness alongside us and urge citizens to continue practising eco-friendly celebrations and waste segregation year-round. Every year, we take pride in preserving Pune’s environment during its grandest festival.”

Citizens have lauded the tireless efforts of waste pickers, recognizing the crucial role they play in keeping the city clean and sustainable. SWaCH also engaged with over 50 bulk waste generators, encouraging participation from around 8000 families in the Punaravartan program for shadu clay reuse, promoting a complete, sustainable cycle for Ganpati immersion.

Pushpa, a citizen from Dhankawadi-Sahakarnagar shared her experience:
“I accidentally dropped my mobile phone at the Nirmalya collection point. While sorting through the offerings, SWaCH waste picker Sujata Bhonde found my phone and immediately handed it over to the SWaCH coordinator. Shortly after, I called my phone and was informed that it had been found. I was truly impressed by the honesty and integrity of the SWaCH waste picker. I am grateful to her for returning my phone, and I deeply appreciate her commitment.”

Shivansh Birla (Age 9) said, “SWaCH Mavshi who comes to our house to collect waste never misses a day. She’s like family to us. I was so happy to see her at Bappa’s celebration!”

Meenal Mhaiskar-Shahane from Monte Rosa Society said, “SWaCH waste pickers contribute to environmental conservation on multiple fronts. They handle household waste collection in our society and, every year before Diwali, assist us in decluttering our homes through their V Collect Drive. This initiative promotes the reuse of old belongings on a large scale. We’re pleased to see the same SWaCH waste pickers at Bappa’s immersion center, helping the city preserve the environment during the festivities.”

This year, several prominent Ganpati Mandals invited SWaCH waste pickers to honor them with Aarti, showcasing their contribution in mandal decoration, and acknowledging their invaluable contribution not only during the festival but throughout the year. Their dedication serves as a reminder that small, collective actions can lead to significant environmental and cultural preservation.

“Every year, we honor the hardworking SWaCH waste pickers during Ganeshotsav by offering them sweets and a photoframe of the Tulshibag Ganpati, in recognition of their relentless service—not just during the ten days of the festival, but throughout the year. This year, we are especially proud to have these dedicated waste pickers perform the Ganpati Aarti, acknowledging their invaluable contribution to our community”, said Vikas Pawar, President of the Tulshibag Ganpati Mandal.

In preparation for this year’s Ganpati celebrations, SWaCH waste pickers began their eco-friendly awareness campaign during Rakhi Pournima, engaging city’s prominent Ganpati Mandals like Kasaba Ganpati, Bhau Rangari, Tulshibaug, Kesari Wada to promote sustainable practices. Ganpati Mandals played a vital role in spreading awareness, joining hands with SWaCH to ensure closing the loop at the end of the celebrations.

Since its inception in 2009, “Nirmalya to Nisarga” has consistently resulted in the collection of upto 100  tons of Nirmalya each festival season. The success of this initiative reflects the growing bond between citizens, SWaCH waste pickers, and PMC, demonstrating how communities can unite to uphold both tradition and environmental responsibility.