In the bustling streets of Delhi, an innovative initiative is turning heads and making waves in the fight against plastic pollution.

Delhi, with a population of 20 million, faces a monumental challenge in managing its waste, particularly plastic. The city generates approximately 11,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily, much of which ends up in landfills or clogs drainage systems.

The concept of “garbage cafes,” introduced by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), is a simple yet effective solution to the city’s escalating plastic waste problem. These unique cafes offer free meals in exchange for plastic waste, encouraging citizens to actively participate in waste reduction efforts.

The scheme allows individuals to exchange one kilogram of plastic for a meal voucher, redeemable at participating restaurants, thereby promoting the safe disposal and recycling of plastic waste.

The aim is to encourage the gathering of waste while also managing the use of disposable plastic products. Eateries hand over the plastic they collect to a municipal organization, which then recycles and repurposes it.

Local business owners participating in the program have noticed an increase in public awareness about the importance of recycling.

Source: OneGreenPlanet

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/delhis-garbage-cafes-are-a-new-approach-to-combat-plastic-waste/