Home maker turned waste management expert
I was born in Bangalore but raised in Hyderabad. I’m a commerce graduate. Since my childhood, I was a big fan of sports and played cricket for my university and the state of Andhra Pradesh. I married to settle back in Malleswaram, Bangalore, as a homemaker.
As every other home maker in Bangalore, I was facing the problem of home waste disposal. But I refused to contribute to the pollution by dumping the waste in the landfill. I wanted to solve this problem, instead of complaining about the system. I started composting. I thought this was easy, but I failed in my first attempt. However, I was motivated to do my research, hone my skills and be successful in solving this problem. Bangalore produces around 4500 ton of garbage waste on a daily basis, which goes to the landfill, thereby contaminating soil, water and air. As a responsible citizen, we must be sensitive towards this issue.
There were 3 things that changed me and everything around me:
- Being a part of the WOW program for recycling of paper with our RWA
- Visit to Vellore to see zero waste models
- Finally, a visit to the land fill near Bangalore
Composting led me to growing food as it invoked a farmer in me. Food has to be grown in living soil and putting organic matter back to soil is really important. Today, the pleasure of learning to grow an edible space and have hundreds of people visit my space keeps me busy and in a meditative state. It is one action that I make on a daily basis that impacts every thing around me. I strongly believe I’m making a difference to this planet by understanding ways to care for Her .
Presently I am a part of a big movement to create awareness on waste management, composting and urban farming. It is all in the domain of volunteerism. It is extremely important for everyone to understand that composting and recycling is the only way to reduce trash going to the landfill, which pollutes the environment. Organic waste along with other waste produce methane gas as it decays in the land fill . This greenhouse gas is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Consequently, composting helps minimize landfills’ contribution to climate change. Composting also helps return nutrients to the soil that feeds us.
I am very keen on growing most of my food. In the near future, I am hoping to have a little farm and create a little place where I can live a sustainable life.
Vani Murthy,
Waste Management Expert
Belong username: vanimurthy
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