Bengaluru’s innovative steps towards a greener tomorrow

Bengaluru: On the occasion of World Earth Day (April 22), green initiatives in Bengaluru showcase what long-term, sustained environmental actions can achieve.

From significantly reducing plastic waste to reviving dying waterbodies, several efforts across the city are quietly reshaping its ecological future.

Transforming plastic waste

DrinkPrime, a Bengaluru-based startup, aims to curb the plastic burden of urban hydration.

Many households in the city rely on up to 15 water cans a month — each a 20-litre plastic container weighing around 1 kg. Typically, each can is reused only up to 10 times. With over 2.5 lakh subscribers now using DrinkPrime, the company estimates it is saving around 7.5 lakh kilograms of plastic every month.

The startup’s model integrates maintenance within the subscription — reclaiming used filters and purifiers, refurbishing them through ultrasonic cleaning, and placing them back into circulation. This reduces manufacturing demand and supports a closed-loop, circular economy.

Restoring urban ecosystems

Meanwhile, United Way’s Wake the Lake initiative has rejuvenated 80 lakes around Bengaluru in recent years. The programme focused on clearing garbage and pollutants and replenishing aquatic ecosystems.

Complementing this is the One Billion Drops campaign, which focuses on rainwater conservation in urban areas. By setting up over 8,200 rainwater harvesting wells, the campaign has successfully diverted and stored more than 10.4 million litres of water that would have otherwise evaporated or been lost in runoffs.

21 insect cafes 

EY Global Delivery Services (GDS), in collaboration with Bhumi and supported by Vibhinna India Foundation, has built 21 insect cafes across Cubbon Park, Lalbagh Botanical Garden, and Doddasaagare Botanical Garden.

Insect cafes — nesting grounds for pollinators — are constructed from upcycled wood, bamboo, and mud. They aim to facilitate insect pollination and promote biodiversity.