How One Mumbai Family Made Sustainability Easy After Five Years Without a Dustbin

At Sonika Bhasin's house in Mumbai, each day follows a rhythmic pattern. A sizable bucket is set up on the kitchen countertop, ready to gather vegetable peels and ends, which are leftovers from uncooked meals. By nightfall, these organic waste materials end up in an earthen composter that is tucked away in a cozy spot on her balcony. As Sonika explains the enchanted metamorphosis that takes place within its layers, her eyes sparkle with a mixture of pride and awe. "The process is natural alchemy: rich, earthy compost — nature's black gold — is created by microorganisms, time, and a balance of greens and browns," she explains.By converting kitchen waste into colorful basil, mint, tomatoes, lemons, and curry leaves, this compost feeds her garden and completes the lovely cycle of nature. The leaves then return to her kitchen.

Wide-eyed with wonder, her son Abir discovers the priceless lesson that waste need not be wasteful as he marvels at this everyday miracle.Making thoughtful decisions outside of the compost Sonika is dedicated to more than just composting. Her house is an example of thoughtful decision-making and conscientious consumerism. To gather all dry garbage, including plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and e-waste, she has a special bag. A recycling company named 5R Cycle comes to our house every two weeks to pick up the dry waste that has collected. For the past five years, we have been doing this," she explains. In addition to dry and wet trash, there is a third type called reject refuse, which includes things like old diapers and sanitary pads that cannot be recycled or composted.