In a bid to recycle the floral waste of temples and other religious space including houses in the city, few youths have come forward. Not only are they manufacturing incense sticks using the left over flowers in temples but they are also using it to create compost. In their experiment, they have so far succeeded in having 25 incense sticks that are tested after being lit.
Initially they managed to get 6 tonnes of flowers from festival pandals and houses in the city. With the help of Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) they are planning to collect the flowers used in the daily prayers in the city by providing extra bins in the door-to-door waste collection vehicles running in the city as it’s easy to collect the stock from prominent temples but the collection from houses can’t be done easily.
Ameya Waingkar, working for the issue said, “The flowers once used are generally dumped in the lakes which not only creates an unpleasant sight but also creates water pollution.” “We tend to dispose of the flowers in the nearby water bodies considering them revered unaware of the fact that this can be used in a better way without harming its sanctity.” “The oxygen level of water is affected once the floral waste rots, which cuases concern,” he added. We have collected over 6 tonnes of flowers from Navaratria Pandals and Ganesh Pandals, says Waingkar
“Two tonnes were left for drying up under the sun which is now reduced to 2 quintals and we have so far created total 25 incense sticks using the waste,” he said. “We have also used the floral waste to create compost at the units located at Shahjanani Park,” he said. “Once we feel the residents are taking interest in the initiative and are giving us the flowers from their homes the process will catch speed. We are also looking forward to better response from the city based temples and other religious places,” he said.
