Grow it, Don't throw it | Garbage Free India

Grow It, Don’t Throw It

Wet waste constitutes more than 50% of a household’s daily waste and when mixed with dry waste it releases toxic greenhouse gases (GHG) such as dioxins and furans. When this waste is mixed with dry waste, it also reduces the recycling rate of the dry waste. We enable individuals and communities to start their composting journey through workshops. We also provide alternative solutions to repurpose wet waste into useful resources. Through this program we aim to curb GHG emissions and improve recycling rates, thus fighting climate change.

Grow It Don’t Throw It is the organic waste diversion program of GFI. This program was designed to encourage residents to actively participate in composting their organic waste, thereby reducing landfill burdens and promoting environmental stewardship.

Through the program, we collaborate with local residents and communities, restaurants and corporate kitchens/canteens. We follow the following steps to initiate the organic waste diversion:

Step 1

Audit of Kitchen waste: Conducting a thorough assessment of the types and quantities of kitchen waste generated daily. This helps in understanding the volume and composition of waste that needs to be managed through composting.

Step 2

Training of the kitchen and garden staff: Training of staff/family members responsible for handling kitchen waste and maintaining composting facilities. This includes educating them on segregation practices, composting techniques, and the importance of organic waste management.

Step 3

Creating Infrastructure for segregation and composting: Establishing dedicated areas or bins for segregating organic waste from non-organic waste. Set up composting units or bins suitable for the scale of waste generated, ensuring proper aeration and moisture levels for effective composting.

Step 4

Storage strategy of dry leaves/kitchen waste: Developing a strategy for storing dry leaves/kitchen waste. Dry leaves are often used as a bulking agent in composting to maintain proper carbon-nitrogen balance.

Step 5

Daily organic segregation: Encouraging daily segregation of organic waste at its source (kitchens or garden areas). This habit ensures that only organic waste goes into composting bins, minimizing contamination and optimizing compost quality.

Step 6

Daily organic waste diversion to composters: Implementing a system where segregated organic waste is diverted daily to the composting units. Regular input of fresh organic material ensures continuous composting activity and prevents odor issues.

Step 7

Harvesting the compost after every 45 days: Monitoring the composting process closely and harvest mature compost approximately every 45 days. This allows enough time for organic material to decompose fully and transform into nutrient-rich compost suitable for use in gardens or landscaping.