Following the annual Palkhi processions of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj near Shaniwar Wada on June 21, a group of 17 volunteers from Pune Ploggers conducted a two-and-a-half-hour cleanup drive, collecting 40 kg of waste. The litter included plastic bottles, food containers, footwear, and large sacks of mixed food waste, primarily near temporary food and water stalls. Founded in 2019 by Vivek Gurav, Pune Ploggers is a citizen-led initiative that combines jogging with litter collection to tackle urban pollution. With over 20,000 volunteers across India and the UK, the group has conducted hundreds of clean-up drives and collected over two million kilograms of waste. Their mission goes beyond clean-ups—it is about fostering environmental awareness and community participation. For Gurav, whose farming background exposed him to the impacts of climate change, the initiative is a personal call to action for sustainable urban living.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines for the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Programme under the National Bioenergy Programme to enhance efficiency, transparency, and performance-based support. Key updates include simplified procedures, reduced paperwork, and streamlined approvals, particularly benefiting MSMEs involved in producing compressed biogas (CBG), biogas, and power. A major change is the flexible disbursal of Central Financial Assistance (CFA): 50% will be released upon obtaining the Consent to Operate certificate, and the remainder after achieving 80% of rated capacity. If a plant falls short of this benchmark, pro-rata CFA will be provided, except when performance is below 50%. The inspection process has also been revamped with joint inspections led by the National Institute of Bio-Energy and other authorized agencies. These changes aim to accelerate project implementation, improve waste management, and support India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070.

French multinational Veolia has announced a major expansion of its hazardous waste treatment operations in India, aiming to add 530,000 tonnes of annual treatment capacity by 2030. This move responds to rising global demand and critical capacity shortages, especially as industries face stricter environmental regulations and shift toward local production. Veolia, already active in India’s water and waste sectors, plans to deepen its presence in hazardous waste management, particularly in Gujarat. The company manages industrial waste such as solvents, factory wastewater, batteries, fly ash, and PFAS—commonly known as “forever chemicals”. CEO Estelle Brachlianoff emphasized that hazardous waste treatment is now a strategic bottleneck for many industries and vital for public health and environmental security. Veolia also operates water supply systems in Nagpur and wastewater treatment plants near Delhi, positioning itself as a key player in India’s ecological transformation.

Three Kolkata institutions—NRS Medical College, Calcutta Pavlov Hospital, and Adyapeath Annada Polytechnic College—have launched a green initiative to convert kitchen waste into biogas for their canteens. Guided by the West Bengal Renewable Energy Department, the pilot projects aim to reduce reliance on costly LPG and cut methane emissions from untreated organic waste. Each biogas plant processes 250–300 kg of daily waste, producing 15–25 cubic meters of biogas—enough to replace up to 30 kg of LPG. The leftover slurry is used as fertilizer and fish feed. The initiative not only lowers fuel costs but also improves hygiene and environmental sustainability. With a combined investment of over ₹50 lakh, the projects are already showing positive results, prompting plans for expansion to other hospitals. Officials highlight the dual benefits: cleaner premises and a renewable energy source that supports India’s broader climate goals.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched a major “waste to wealth” initiative by inaugurating three new waste management units at the Dhapa disposal site. These include a plastic waste processing plant, a thermocol recycling unit, and a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) capable of handling 100 tonnes of mixed waste daily. The initiative aims to tackle the city’s mounting solid waste—4,500 tonnes generated daily—by promoting segregation at source and recycling. The plastic plant will process 10 tonnes of waste daily into usable products like chairs and benches, while the thermocol unit is the first of its kind in the city. Despite efforts, KMC officials acknowledge that citywide waste segregation remains a challenge, with much of the waste still mixed. Mayor Firhad Hakim emphasized the long-term vision, predicting that 40% of KMC’s revenue could eventually come from waste processing. This initiative also responds to environmental concerns and regulatory pressure from the National Green Tribunal.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a ₹2.3 crore Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge to accelerate innovation in rooftop solar (RTS) and distributed renewable energy (DRE) technologies. Announced during the National Conference on Skill Development for the Renewable Energy Workforce, the challenge is supported by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Startup India. It targets four key areas: affordability, resilience, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. Startups working in green tech, IoT, AI, blockchain, energy hardware, and waste management are encouraged to apply. The prize pool includes ₹1 crore for the top winner, with additional prizes and incubation support, pilot opportunities, and mentorship. Applications are open until August 20, 2025, with results to be announced on September 10, 2025. This initiative aims to boost clean energy access, especially for underserved communities, and support India’s net-zero goals.

The Rajkot Municipal Corporation has transformed a 20-acre legacy dumpsite at Nakrawadi—once burdened with 16 lakh tonnes of waste—into a thriving urban forest under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and the Lakshya Zero Dumpsite initiative. The remediation involved advanced waste processing to segregate refuse-derived fuel (RDF), compost, and inert materials. RDF was sent to a waste-to-energy plant, while compost enriched the soil. Over 2.35 lakh trees were planted using the Miyawaki method, and a 12 km pipeline was laid to supply treated water from the Gauridad STP for irrigation. The project faced challenges like foul odours, monsoon disruptions, and complex waste segregation but succeeded in creating a green space that improves air quality, supports biodiversity, and fosters community engagement. It also promotes circular economy principles by converting waste into energy and compost, offering a replicable model for sustainable urban development.

Over 85,000 students from 160 schools in Coimbatore were recognized for their outstanding participation in ITC Limited’s Wellbeing Out of Waste (WOW) inter-school recycling championship. The initiative, implemented locally by the Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC), saw students collect 118 metric tonnes of segregated dry waste, promoting source segregation and responsible waste management. Amrita Vidyalayam, Kalapatti, emerged as the overall champion, collecting 7,640 kg of dry waste, followed by MDN Future CBSE School, Sulur (4,235 kg) and Nehru International School, T.M. Palayam (2,609 kg). Among State board schools, Shri Nehru Vidyalaya MHSS, R.S. Puram led with 3,112 kg. Individual students were also honoured for their contributions, with Tejaswini from Amrita Vidyalayam collecting 69.1 kg. The event celebrated student-led sustainability efforts and reinforced the importance of environmental responsibility in schools, aligning with the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Noida’s upcoming Jungle Trail, a 20-acre “waste-to-wonder” park, is set to open in early July following a trial run on June 25. Developed by the Noida Authority in partnership with Z-Tech under a public-private model, the park features over 700 life-sized animal sculptures crafted from nearly 500 tonnes of scrap materials like nuts, bolts, and fuel tanks. Divided into four themed zones—African Savannah, Asian Jungles, Australian Outback, and Polar Regions—the park showcases global biodiversity with sculptures of elephants, tigers, camels, penguins, and more. A key attraction is the Night Jungle Safari, where illuminated sculptures and ambient lighting create a lifelike nocturnal experience. The initiative supports the Swachh Bharat Mission and aims to promote environmental awareness through art and innovation. Final touches, including the main gate and cafeteria, are underway, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is expected to inaugurate the park.

Hyderabad has launched a new E-waste Initiative to combat the growing threat of electronic waste, especially from its booming IT sector and rapid urbanization. Spearheaded in collaboration with key organizations, the campaign aims to raise awareness and promote responsible e-waste management across residential areas, offices, markets, and educational institutions. With e-waste expected to double by 2050, the initiative emphasizes a shift toward a circular economy, encouraging reuse and recycling of electronic components. The program aligns with India’s E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022, and Telangana’s 2018 regulations, aiming to reduce environmental and health hazards. Hyderabad, as a major tech hub, faces mounting e-waste challenges, prompting the Ministry of Electronics and IT to establish a Centre of Excellence on E-Waste Recycling at C-MET. The initiative also supports design innovations for easier repair and disassembly, extending product lifespans and minimizing waste.

India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released its first draft guidelines for the storage and handling of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste, addressing the growing environmental risks posed by aging solar panels. With India’s solar capacity surpassing 110 GW, the country is expected to generate over 600,000 tonnes of solar waste by 2040. The guidelines, issued under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, propose classifying solar PV waste as e-waste and bringing it under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. This would require manufacturers to establish take-back systems, maintain consumer databases, and ensure safe collection, storage, and recycling of end-of-life panels. Improper disposal of solar panels—containing hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, and arsenic—can contaminate soil, water, and air. The draft also outlines safety standards for storage, including protective sheds, stacking limits, and leachate control. Public feedback is invited until June 25, 2025, before finalizing the guidelines.

PepsiCo India, in collaboration with The Social Lab (TSL), has expanded its flagship Tidy Trails plastic waste management initiative to four cities: New Delhi, Pune, Agra, and Guwahati. Launched on World Environment Day, the program promotes responsible plastic waste handling through collection, segregation, and recycling, while fostering community engagement. Tidy Trails partners with local administrations, market associations, and citizens to drive behavioural change around plastic waste. A mobile van collects post-consumer plastic from local establishments, which is then repurposed into functional items like benches and chairs for public spaces—turning waste into community assets. The initiative has already collected over 68,000 kg of plastic waste, with daily collections of 274 kg in Agra and 386 kg in Guwahati. Through on-ground campaigns and interactive signage, Tidy Trails aims to build a circular economy model and inspire sustainable living at the grassroots level.