Even Scrap Counts

Food waste continues to pose a serious environmental challenge in India, with nearly one-third of all food produced going to waste before it is consumed. A significant portion of this ends up in already overburdened landfills, leading to the loss of valuable resources such as land, water, energy, and labour, while also generating methane emissions that accelerate climate change. This issue is particularly evident in schools, where mid-day meals often go uneaten and discarded, despite being intended to improve student nutrition.

To tackle this problem, Prabhaav Foundation, with support from Petrofac India Pvt. Ltd., implemented a composting-based CSR initiative in selected BMC schools in Mumbai. Eight composting units were installed in schools providing mid-day meals, enabling the eco-friendly processing of leftover food and horticultural waste. This intervention helps divert biodegradable waste from landfills and converts it into nutrient-rich compost, contributing to greener school environments.

Additionally, under the CSR programme of AFFLE India, similar waste management solutions were introduced in four schools and nearby communities in Gurugram. These treatment systems process food waste, dry leaves, flowers, and even construction debris into useful by-products.

A key focus of the initiative was awareness and capacity building. Around 6,000 students and staff participated in workshops on waste segregation, composting, and responsible disposal practices, fostering long-term behavioural change.

Collectively, these efforts have prevented 60,000–90,000 tonnes of wet waste from reaching landfills, while strongly aligning with SDGs 4, 11, 12, and 13 by promoting sustainability, education, and climate action.