Cleanliness is the right of a society and at the same time, everybody’s responsibility. Natural resources should be rationally and vigilantly be utilised. It must be protected and preserved for the coming generation. The changes in our life style have tremendously increased the waste and pollution. In this situation, we have to reduce the waste and pollution to the maximum extent and increase the reusage and recycling waste. It is on the basis of this that the Suchitwa Mission introduced the Green Protocol Programme.
Green protocol is essentially a set of measures which when implemented results in significant reduction of waste. The primary focus is on waste minimization through prevention of use of disposables and using reusable alternatives like glass/stainless/porcelain cutleries. However, waste that is still produced is treated in the most scientific and the most environment friendly manner.
How to follow Green Protocol?
- Avoid the use of all types of disposables (including plastic, paper) in daily life
- Always use cups and containers that can be washed and reused instead of those made of plastic or paper
- Avoid banned plastic materials; follow government rules in this regard
- Segregate bio and non-bio degradable; compost bio degradable at source using simple and appropriate composting devices
- Keep the non-bio degradable clean and dry and store separately based the type; hand it over to local body systems or scrap dealer for recycling
- Avoid ‘use and throw’ carry bags. Always use bags made of eco-friendly materials
- Always use cloth banners instead of flex
- Use bamboo baskets or ones made of eco-friendly materials instead of plastic waste baskets
- Always use eco-friendly materials like leaves flowers etc for decoration and while making bouquets for felicitating guests.
The significance of Green Protocol is this: as waste reduction occupies the top position in the waste management hierarchy, the Green Protocol’s methodology is focused on the prevention of waste generation. More importantly, implementing the Green Protocol can save money as well as resources. It has emerged as one of the most efficient and sustainable models in waste management.