In the quiet midnight hours, when Mumbai’s streets are calm, a dedicated team makes its rounds, collecting segregated waste from 96 flats at Lok Nirmal Heights. What was once a logistical nightmare has now become a model of sustainable waste management, thanks to the commitment of its residents and an innovative partnership with a local waste management agency, Green Practices.
Previously plagued by inefficiencies and resident reluctance, the suburban society now reaps the rewards of an efficient waste separation system. In return, they receive nutrient-rich compost, which nurtures their community gardens—closing the loop on sustainability.
A Midnight Transformation
“Our society has been part of this waste management initiative since 2019. Initially, dealing with waste was quite challenging, but thanks to our collaboration with Green Practices, we’ve streamlined the process,” says Goutam, the manager of Lok Nirmal Heights. “Their team collects segregated waste at midnight, in line with municipal regulations to avoid daytime traffic. In return, we receive compost for free, which helps our gardens flourish.”
With each household paying less than Rs 100 per month for the service, this initiative not only ensures cleaner surroundings but also reduces maintenance costs, proving that sustainability can be both practical and economical.
The Woman Behind the Green Revolution
At the heart of this initiative is Mana Shah, a passionate environmental entrepreneur and the founder of Green Practices. Her journey into waste management was anything but conventional. Born and raised in Mumbai, she initially worked in her family business, managing petrol pumps. However, a chance encounter with the 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth changed her trajectory forever.
“The documentary was a revelation,” Mana recalls. “It shook me to the core with its stark presentation of climate change. Mumbai, my home, is among the top ten cities most threatened by rising sea levels. The thought haunted me—how could I continue business as usual when our city was at risk?”
Determined to make a difference, she embarked on a year-long research journey, which took her to Auroville, where she immersed herself in eco-friendly technologies. There, she discovered her true calling—waste management. By 2010, she had founded Green Practices with the vision of creating a circular waste economy.
Turning Trash into Treasure
Mana’s company operates on a simple but powerful principle: segregate waste at the source. By separating food waste from recyclables, they maximize recycling efficiency and ensure organic waste is composted rather than dumped in overflowing landfills.
“You think you’re throwing your waste away, but there’s no ‘away’,” she says passionately. “Everything we discard goes somewhere—it’s up to us to decide whether it becomes pollution or a resource.”
At Green Practices, food waste is composted using microbes that accelerate decomposition, reducing the process from six months to just one. The resulting compost is then given back to clients for free, allowing them to cultivate green spaces at no extra cost. Meanwhile, non-food waste is meticulously sorted into paper, metal, plastic, and glass before being sent to the appropriate recycling centers.
Scaling Impact, One Society at a Time
What began with a single community has now expanded to 50 societies and corporate giants like Reliance and Swiggy. Green Practices manages up to 500 tonnes of waste per month, significantly reducing the burden on Mumbai’s already strained waste management infrastructure.
Despite these achievements, Mana remains acutely aware of the challenges ahead. “Awareness is still a major hurdle,” she admits. “People tell me to stay positive, but sometimes I just want to shout ‘wake up!’ The climate crisis isn’t a distant problem—it’s happening now.”
Yet, she remains undeterred. “We share this planet with countless other life forms. Mother Earth is struggling, and I see it as my duty to help her. To me, she is the ultimate authority—my boss.”
A Call to Action
Mana’s vision extends far beyond the communities she currently serves. She hopes to collaborate with more housing societies, corporations, and individuals to scale up the impact of Green Practices.
“Every tonne of waste diverted, every community engaged—it’s a step toward a sustainable future. The change we need isn’t going to come from big policies alone. It starts at home, in our kitchens, in the way we think about waste,” she says.
Mumbai’s residents are slowly waking up to this green revolution. Thanks to pioneers like Mana, what was once seen as mere garbage is now recognized as a valuable resource. And with every composted scrap and recycled bottle, the city takes one step closer to a cleaner, greener future.