‘There is a slow change in waste management’

When I relocated to Chennai, I lived on Haddows Road, where we had a huge garbage bin next to our house. In fact, it became a landmark. I wanted to change that and soon began mobilising the neighbours and tried to get them to contribute to the upkeep. However, there was a lot of resistance and I soon gave up. Later I came across Poonam who was into waste management services in Bengaluru called Daily Dump. I bought some of these composting pots and began selling them here. Soon, people began to learn about my endeavor and started approaching me to buy them.  Over the last decade or more, I have been offering waste management solutions stemming from Daily Dump here.

There has been a slow change, but it is happening.  Programmes like Swachch Bharat are helping people to take it up. Earlier, when I used to talk to people — from a 100, just about two or three used to come forward. Now, among a 100, there are at least 20 opting for it.

Have there been misconceptions and challenges? 

Yes, first, people think that compost smells. It is not so, as it is all about the combination of wet and dry waste. The other challenge is that people are hesitant about spending money on waste. Having said that, I can see the mindset is changing. So far, I must have sold more than 10,000 of these composting pots or khambas. That means there are as many people who have taken it up. That’s a good sign.