MOUNTAINS OF CHANGE: TRANSFORMING WASTE MANAGEMENT IN HILLY AREAS

Strengthening Circular Economy:

Gangtok’s RRR Centre Leads Textile Waste Management

The Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) has established a RRR Centre at Deorali to address the growing challenge of textile waste entering natural water bodies and contributing to environmental degradation. Although awareness activities were undertaken in the past, improper disposal of textiles by citizens remained a persistent concern. The RRR Centre was conceptualised to provide a structured system for the collection, reuse, and recycling of discarded materials, thereby reducing pollution and promoting responsible waste practices. Key stakeholders in this initiative include the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, local citizens, and registered scrap dealers. Scrap dealers play an essential role in ensuring that items collected are channelled back into the economy through reuse and recycling streams.

Inaugurated on 24 June 2024, the RRR Centre offers a dedicated drop-off point where residents can deposit reusable items such as clothes, books, and fabric. GMC oversees the collection process and collaborates with authorised scrap dealers for the transportation of materials outside Sikkim for recycling, given the absence of in-state processing facilities. 

Additionally, regular collection drives across all wards have been institutionalised to ensure widespread public participation and sustained engagement.

The initiative supports sustainable consumption patterns by extending the lifecycle of products and lowering the demand for virgin raw materials. Scrap dealers play an essential role in ensuring that items collected are channelled back into the economy through reuse and recycling streams.

In terms of its impact, the initiative diverts significant quantities of waste away from landfills, reducing the environmental burden, while fostering a culture of reuse and responsible disposal among citizens.

Mangan’s Model for Smart, Sustainable Waste Management in Sikkim

Mangan, a small Nagar Panchayat in Sikkim with a population of around 6,000, has become a benchmark for solid waste management under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0. By combining community engagement, innovative strategies, and a strong focus on sustainability, Mangan has set an example for urban local bodies across Sikkim and the northeastern region.

A standout initiative is the PET shredding machine installed at Mangan Bazaar in September 2021, the first of its kind in the state. This facility allows residents to process plastic bottles into smaller flakes, reducing plastic waste volume by 85 percent and significantly lowering the town’s plastic footprint.

Beyond plastic management, Mangan has established a state-of- the-art Material Recovery Facility (MRF) with a capacity of 5 tonnes per day, efficiently converting municipal waste into recyclable materials and high-quality compost, which is sold to the public, generating revenue for the Nagar Panchayat. The town also operates a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) centre, enabling citizens to donate surplus items and further minimize waste. Household participation is encouraged through the “3 Bin, 1 Bag” segregation system, and two wards have been declared “Zero Wet Waste” zones, reflecting Mangan’s goal of achieving 100 percent source segregation by 2025.

These combined efforts have earned Mangan recognition as the cleanest ULB in Sikkim and the second cleanest in the northeast, receiving multiple awards in 2022 and 2023. Mangan’s holistic approach demonstrates how technology, citizen engagement, and innovative practices can transform small towns into models of sustainable urban waste management.

Guardians of the Sacred Lake: The Tsomgo Cleanliness Movement in Sikkim

Perched at nearly 12,000 feet, Tsomgo Lake is one of Sikkim’s most treasured natural wonders and the Tsomgo Pokhri Sanrakshan Samiti (TPSS) has emerged as its steadfast guardian. Driven by a deep sense of community ownership, the TPSS has built an impressive model of lake conservation that blends waste management, awareness, and sustainable tourism. From managing daily waste generated by visitors to educating tourists about ecological sensitivity, the Samiti ensures that the serenity of this high-altitude lake remains undisturbed.

With 52 shops operating around the lake, TPSS has put in place a structured waste collection system, ensuring that all waste is transported to a designated recovery centre. Dedicated staff are employed to clean the surroundings, including yak excrement—a challenge unique to the region’s tourism ecosystem.

Over the years, the Samiti has also carried out major clean-up drives, removing accumulated waste from the lake and its wetlands. Practical measures like banning cup noodles and providing garbage bags to drivers have significantly reduced littering. A conservation fee collected from tourists funds regular maintenance, lake guards, and community capacity-building initiatives. TPSS runs awareness campaigns on environmental protection, urging visitors to avoid plastic bottles and respect the fragile alpine landscape. Their efforts extend beyond tourists—local vendors and residents are trained to adopt sustainable practices that protect the lake’s ecology.

Working closely with the state government, NGOs, and the local community, TPSS has even relocated a commercial complex away from a sensitive wetland zone.

Today, Tsomgo Lake is celebrated as one of India’s cleanest tourist sites, with TPSS receiving multiple national awards for its remarkable stewardship.

( A PIB feature)