The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has initiated efforts to transform the city into a major recycling hub by exploring innovative solutions for waste management, recycling of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, textile waste processing and sustainable environmental practices.
The initiatives were discussed during a special meeting chaired by Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde and attended by environmental experts, researchers and representatives of various organisations.
A key focus of the meeting was the scientific management and reuse of POP idols. Experts from the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) presented a pilot POP recovery project and proposed setting up a recycling facility in Navi Mumbai. Idol makers' associations expressed willingness to use recycled POP material for manufacturing new idols, while environmental organisation Nuotera showcased a model that converts recycled POP into school furniture, including study desks.
Commissioner Shinde stressed the need for sustainable waste management practices and highlighted provisions under the newly implemented Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. He said institutions and housing societies generating more than 100 kilograms of waste daily would have to play a greater role in waste processing and compliance.
The meeting also discussed the introduction of GPS-based traceability for idols during Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri immersions to ensure adherence to environmental norms and improve monitoring of immersion activities.
Project Mumbai proposed the creation of a Citizen Volunteering Portal to encourage public participation in environmental initiatives and presented its "Agni Safety Vision" aimed at strengthening urban safety through community engagement. The organisation suggested building a network of citizen volunteers to support civic and environmental programmes.
Ahead of Maharashtra Climate Week 2027, discussions were also held on urban biodiversity management. According to a recent tree census, Navi Mumbai has more than 1.5 million trees across over 225 locations. The municipal corporation said it would continue focusing on planting native species to enhance the city's ecological value.
The meeting also featured a presentation on India's first Textile Recycling Facility (TRF), being developed in collaboration with NMMC under the Union Ministry of Textiles.
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