Indore’s Eight-Year Journey to Becoming India’s Cleanest City
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📰 The quick summary: The Indian city of Indore transformed from having fetid garbage dumps to becoming the country’s cleanest city for eight consecutive years through innovative waste management and community engagement.
📈 One key stat: 100% of household waste in Indore is now segregated into different categories including wet, electronics, plastics, non-plastic, biomedical and hazardous materials, enabling efficient recycling and waste conversion.
💬 One key quote: “When you come out of the airport, it feels as though you aren’t in India, it’s so clean,” said Nitisha Agarwal, a corporate executive who travels to Indore frequently for work.
1️⃣ The big picture: An Indian city has achieved remarkable success in urban cleanliness through a comprehensive transformation of its waste management system. Indore, located in Madhya Pradesh, went from being ranked 25th to winning the cleanest city award in India for eight consecutive years. The city implemented an array of innovative solutions, from musical garbage vans and GPS tracking to extensive public awareness campaigns. Through dedicated efforts involving both government initiatives and community participation, Indore has virtually eliminated its previous problem of fetid garbage dumps and transformed into a model of urban cleanliness.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Citizens now actively participate in keeping their city clean, marking a fundamental shift in civic behavior and pride. The waste management system converts garbage into fuel and compost, creating valuable resources from what was once just trash. Restaurants use mobile composting vans, while markets have specialized bins for different types of waste. The success demonstrates that with proper planning and community engagement, cities can overcome deeply entrenched cleanliness challenges. The transformation brings significant health benefits while creating a more livable urban environment.
3️⃣ What’s next: The model created by Indore can serve as a blueprint for other Indian cities facing similar challenges. Success requires maintaining the current momentum through continued public awareness campaigns and civic engagement. Local governments need to demonstrate similar dedication and implement comprehensive waste management systems. The key lies in combining infrastructure improvements with behavior change initiatives to create lasting impact.
Read the full story here: The Guardian – Musical vans, school oaths and civic pride: how an Indian city beat the litter
