BMC Headquarters to Become a Zero-Waste Office

BMC Headquarters to Become a Zero-Waste Office
Bhubaneswar, February 14, 2025: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has initiated a Zero-Waste Office campaign, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability. As part of this initiative, the BMC headquarters will be made waste-free, setting an example for responsible waste management.
To achieve this goal, employees and visitors are encouraged to follow five key practices:
No consumption of betel nut or tobacco, and no spitting on premises.
Elimination of plastic carry bags.
Minimizing food wastage.
Using glass or steel bottles instead of plastic for drinking water.
Reducing paper usage wherever possible.
A strict monitoring system will ensure that no unnecessary items or excess paper are present in any section of BMC departments. A Zero-Waste Audit will be conducted to reinforce this initiative. Each department will form teams of three members to oversee and implement waste management practices effectively.
Additionally, the use of single-use plastic is strictly prohibited both inside and outside the office. Employees bringing food from home or outside are expected to minimize food waste. Paper cups, plates, and other disposables will be collected in a designated area for proper disposal.
“We must first adopt these practices ourselves before encouraging others,” said BMC Commissioner Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS. He emphasized that zero-waste living is not a difficult concept but a practical approach that can easily be integrated into daily life. By following environmental regulations and embracing a zero-waste lifestyle, both personal and social well-being can be enhanced.
Additional Commissioner Shri Suvendu Kumar Sahu stated that BMC staff will first implement these practices within their offices before expanding the initiative across all departments.
The program was attended by BMC Commissioner Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Additional Commissioners Shri Suvendu Kumar Sahu, Shri Ratnakara Sahoo, Smt. Sasmita Sahu, CFO Shri Govinda Chandra Nayak, Zonal Commissioner Shri Kailash Chandra Das, Assistant Commissioner Shri N. Ganesh Babu, Team BMC officials
On this occasion, Ms. Archana More from Aasara Social Foundation, Pune, presented a PPT to BMC officials explaining how to transform the office into a zero-waste space. Additionally, Assistant Commissioner N. Ganesh Babu demonstrated methods for creating compost at home using bio-degradable waste.