HDFC Bank, in partnership with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), has taken a major stride towards promoting sustainable waste management. They have recently introduced a cutting-edge Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Adabari, Guwahati.
The partnership between HDFC Bank, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), and Center for Environment Education (CEE) marks a significant achievement in the city’s waste management initiatives. Notable figures such as Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal, Mayor Mrigen Sarnia, Deputy Mayor Smita Roy, GMC Commissioner Megha Nidhi Dahal IAS, and other dignitaries were present at the event. This innovative approach utilizes technology to extract valuable resources from waste in a digital format.
Minister Singhal praised HDFC Bank and CEE for their methodical and systematic approach to managing solid waste. He emphasized the numerous advantages of this approach, such as improved inclusivity, optimized spending, job opportunities, and the integration of the informal sector into the formal workforce.
Similarly expressing their views, Dahal emphasized the project’s importance in driving Guwahati towards a sustainable and circular economy, in line with India’s goal of achieving a net-zero position by 2070.
Additionally, Sodhi emphasized the numerous advantages of operational efficiencies at the MRF, such as reducing waste volume, saving costs, minimizing plastic burning, lowering carbon emissions, and enhancing income for waste collectors.
The initiative, in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and subsequent revisions, focuses on sorting and recycling different categories of dry waste, with a special emphasis on plastics. Advanced equipment such as conveyors, air blowers, shredders, grinders, and bailing machines have been set up to streamline operations at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
Furthermore, Shrishti Waste Management Services Pvt. Ltd. is partnering as the designated service provider for the MRF.
The digital ceremony also saw the involvement of officials from GMC, Ward Councillors, district authorities, as well as representatives from HDFC Bank, CEE, and Shrishti Waste Management Services (SWMS). This project expands on HDFC Bank’s fruitful partnership with UNDP India to set up a Swachhta Kendra (MRF) in Greater Noida, with the goal of duplicating its achievements and creating a scalable framework for sustainable waste management in Guwahati.
