Bhubaneswar, June 9: Residents of a housing complex here have turned crusaders for waste management.

They are institutionalising the practices of source segregation, recycling and composting at the Royal Lagoon housing complex here in an effort to create a clean and green environment.

Members of around 120 households in the complex have taken up the initiative along with Sri Ganesh Recycling (SGR) - a Bhubaneswar-based social enterprise that works in the field of recycling waste and green energy.

They are using the 2-bin-and-1-bag system that is popular in various metro cities of the country.

They started with educating the households to segregate their waste in three ways - the organic waste, which goes to the green bin and can be converted into manure through a portable compost plant; the recyclable waste, which goes straight to the white bag and can be sold or donated; and the remaining waste, which go to the red bin and can be given to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation for landfill.

"This system ensures that we send less waste to the landfill and help save expenditure on collection, transportation and disposal of waste. This way, we are also contributing to protect our environment and reducing air and water pollution," said Narasingha Panigrahi of SGR.

The organic waste is picked up there every day and composted at source using in-vessel composting methods.

"Two composting bins have been set on the terrace of the apartment which turn waste into compost in a month's time. The compost is then used for landscaping within the housing society and is also distributed among other residents," said Ajay Behera, a retired army officer, who is leading the project.

A number of homemakers are also actively involved in the project.

"This effort goes a long way towards establishing a sustainable waste management system within the community. Waste management is one of the critical elements for ensuring Swachh Bharat and building a smart city. The only way to manage waste is to divide it and deal with it at the source," added Panigrahi.

SGR also runs a website - www.recyclepaper.in - that provides paper waste pick-up solutions at your doorstep.

"We are approaching other households in the city to start the process," added Panigrahi.