Wash

Sanitation

Sustainable Waste Management: Biodegradable Waste Composting

WASH

/wash/sanitation/nhai-guidelines-for-upgradation-maintenance-and-smart-monitoring-of-toilet-facilities-parking-at-national-highway-toll-plazas

To enhance citizen-centric services along National Highways, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued guidelines for the upgradation, maintenance and smart monitoring of public toilet facilities and designated parking areas at toll plazas.

/wash/sanitation/good-sanitation-practices

Provides information on Good Sanitation Practices

/wash/sanitation/sustainable-waste-management-biodegradable-waste-composting

This project demonstrates how everyday biodegradable household waste can be efficiently recycled into nutrient-rich compost, reducing landfill reliance and enriching soil health. By practicing composting, individuals learn simple, sustainable waste management practices that turn organic waste into a valuable resource for a greener environment.

Historical development of sanitation technologies, practices and policies in India

Provides comprehensive information on Water sanitation and hygiene

Monitoring, Evaluation, Data Management, Smart Water Systems, and Network Analysis in the context of water supply

Provides information related to policies, best practices, studies, technologies, etc related to Water.

/wash/national-action-plan-for-mechanized-sanitation-ecosystem

Government has formulated a scheme “National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)”, a joint project of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

Provides information about Swachhata Hi Seva campaign

/wash/reimagining-water-governance-a-case-for-transdisciplinary-art-based-pedagogies

Provides information about East Kolkata Wetlands case that demonstrates how transdisciplinary, art-based pedagogies can enrich understanding, foster participation and support more holistic policy outcomes in water governance.

Articles featured in NIWAS Vartika - A WASH magazine by SPM NIWAS, MoJS, GoI

Provides information about the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme implemented by FSSAI. 

Water Policy and Governance, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Sanitation, Financing, and Technology within the Indian context, specifically focusing on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)

This topic provides information about World Toilet Day - 19 November 

This topic describes about hygiene and sanitation and its influence on child growth. 

<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Every household generates a large amount of biodegradable waste every day - vegetable peels, fruit rinds, leftover food, dry leaves, and garden waste. Usually, this waste is thrown into dustbins and sent to landfills, where it decomposes slowly and releases harmful gases like methane. However, this waste can become a valuable resource if converted into compost a nutrient-rich natural fertilizer that improves soil health and helps plants grow.</p>
<p>Composting is a natural biological process in which microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down organic matter into humus-like material. For this, you don't need big equipment, it can be done in simple ways using pits, bins, or even plastic bottles. Composting reduces waste going to landfills, enriches soil, saves money on chemical fertilizers, and supports environmental sustainability.</p>
<h3>Objective</h3>
<p>To study and demonstrate how biodegradable household waste can be recycled into compost for sustainable use and conservation of soil and the ecosystem.</p>
<h3>Methodology <img style="max-width: 100%; height: 264px; float: right;" src="https://static.vikaspedia.in/mediastorage/filestorage/20261028141817_Screenshot2026-10-28141337.webp" alt="Uploaded Image" width="337"></h3>
<ol>
<li>Collect information about types of biodegradable waste generated in homes and schools.</li>
<li>Identify suitable methods for home composting pit composting, bin composting, or bottle composting.</li>
<li>Collect and record data on temperature, moisture, and time taken for complete composting.</li>
<li>Study the role of earthworms, microbes, and aeration in the composting process.</li>
<li>Compare the compost quality with chemical fertilizers by using both on potted plants and observing plant growth.</li>
<li>Document the cost, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits of composting as compared to waste disposal.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Expected Outcome</h3>
<ol>
<li>Successful production of compost from kitchen and garden waste.</li>
<li>Better understanding of waste segregation and recycling at source.</li>
<li>Demonstration of how biodegradable waste can be transformed into valuable organic&nbsp;manure.</li>
<li>Awareness among students and families about composting as a simple method of waste management.</li>
<li>Appreciation for the waste-to-wealth approach</li>
</ol>
<p>This project helps students to see waste as a resource rather than a problem. By practicing composting, they learn the importance of Reduce, Reuse, Retrieve, Redesign, and Recycle (R5) in everyday life. Composting supports sustainable living, prevents pollution, and promotes a Lifestyle for Environment and Sustainability. Through this activity, young scientists become agents of change, showing how science and responsibility can work together to turn everyday waste into wealth- making homes, schools, and communities cleaner and greener.</p>
<p><strong>Source : <a title="External link that opens in a new window" href="https://www.dst.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/01/3fffe38a71afb2adfe7c132af1280ab3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science and Innovation for Sustainability - Activity Guide Book 2026 &amp; 2027</a></strong></p>