<p class="title rtejustify">Following the simple rule of 'segregation', a city temple is leading by example in managing waste effectively. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">With 4,000 tonnes of waste produced every day, Bengaluru's major concern has always been waste disposal methods and the Mahaganapati temple in Kalyan Nagar is proving that the problem can be tackled after all.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">More than 500 devotees visit the temple every day, yet the temple has produced no waste for more than a year. It had transformed its premises into a zero-waste zone through a collective effort of devotees and the authorities. From the flowers that are removed after adoring the idols or the 'prasadam' served to the devotees, the temple authorities make sure that they don't contribute to the city's garbage menace.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The achievement is a result of sticking to the golden rule of segregation in waste management. They adopted the segregation method in 2016. The dry flowers, leaves and other organic waste is dumped in a bin with coco peat to avoid any stinking. Authorities make sure that the dry waste found on the premises is disposed separately to be picked by the BBMP workers on a daily basis.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The practice has paid back after all. Apart from contributing to a cleaner and greener surroundings, the temple authorities harvested 2,750 kgs of compost. Tonnes of the produce if set to be sold in the market. Due to the presence of earthworms, the compost was declared as the best by environmentalists. The compost is available at the temple for Rs 25 per kg.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Four more compost bins have been brought to the temple to improve the waste management. The temple authorities do not use disposable cutlery for devotees. They have made it mandatory for the devotees to bring their own box or utensils to carry prasadam prepared on special occasions. "Initially there was some resistance from the people but later they realised that it was a good move and started cooperating with us," said Ashok, one of the temple trustees. The temple also offers free food for over 800 people every Saturday. But they serve food on reusable melamine plates to keep the premises waste free.</p>
<p class="title rtejustify">Following the simple rule of 'segregation', a city temple is leading by example in managing waste effectively. </p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">With 4,000 tonnes of waste produced every day, Bengaluru's major concern has always been waste disposal methods and the Mahaganapati temple in Kalyan Nagar is proving that the problem can be tackled after all.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">More than 500 devotees visit the temple every day, yet the temple has produced no waste for more than a year. It had transformed its premises into a zero-waste zone through a collective effort of devotees and the authorities. From the flowers that are removed after adoring the idols or the 'prasadam' served to the devotees, the temple authorities make sure that they don't contribute to the city's garbage menace.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The achievement is a result of sticking to the golden rule of segregation in waste management. They adopted the segregation method in 2016. The dry flowers, leaves and other organic waste is dumped in a bin with coco peat to avoid any stinking. Authorities make sure that the dry waste found on the premises is disposed separately to be picked by the BBMP workers on a daily basis.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The practice has paid back after all. Apart from contributing to a cleaner and greener surroundings, the temple authorities harvested 2,750 kgs of compost. Tonnes of the produce if set to be sold in the market. Due to the presence of earthworms, the compost was declared as the best by environmentalists. The compost is available at the temple for Rs 25 per kg.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Four more compost bins have been brought to the temple to improve the waste management. The temple authorities do not use disposable cutlery for devotees. They have made it mandatory for the devotees to bring their own box or utensils to carry prasadam prepared on special occasions. "Initially there was some resistance from the people but later they realised that it was a good move and started cooperating with us," said Ashok, one of the temple trustees. The temple also offers free food for over 800 people every Saturday. But they serve food on reusable melamine plates to keep the premises waste free.</p>