Sambalpur, Odisha — Sambalpur city’s waste management model is earning nearly Rs 20 lakh every month through segregation, recycling, and composting initiatives.

Background

The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has been working towards managing the city’s growing volume of waste, transforming it into a source of revenue, employment, and sustainable urban management.

The SMC’s waste management model involves collecting over 170 metric tonne of waste daily from households, markets, and commercial establishments within the city limits. This waste is segregated and scientifically processed at nine Wealth Centres, where garbage collected through daily door-to-door drives is carefully segregated into wet and dry waste. The wet waste is converted into organic compost marketed as ‘Mo Khata’, while dry waste such as plastic, iron, cardboard, and glass is sorted for recycling through authorised recyclers. Plastic waste is also supplied to cement factories where it is used as an alternative fuel source.

Community Impact

The initiative is not only helping the city manage its waste better but also creating a steady source of revenue and employment. The sale of recyclable materials generates nearly Rs 18 lakh to Rs 19 lakh every month, while ‘Mo Khata’ contributes another Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 through retail and bulk sales. Around 12 per cent of the wet waste generated in the city is currently being utilised for preparation of organic manure. Dedicated counters for the sale of ‘Mo Khata’ have been opened at locations including Burla, Chaunrpur, Rasanpur, Balibandha, Khanduapali, Kainsir, and Silipathar.

The better segregation of waste at the household level could further improve recycling efficiency and increase the amount of reusable material recovered every day. The SMC’s efforts have made a significant impact on the community, with the potential to create more employment opportunities and improve urban management.

What Happens Next

As the SMC continues to work towards improving waste management in Sambalpur, the city is likely to see further reductions in waste and increased revenue generation. With the success of the ‘Mo Khata’ initiative, the SMC may explore more opportunities for sustainable urban management and community development.