Harvesting Change: Turning Madiwala Market’s Trash Into Treasure – Madiwala Market, Bengaluru

Madiwala Market is a busy market located in ward 151, giving livelihoods for hundreds of vendors and farmers. 400+ shops and other vegetable sellers generate about 7,000 to 12,000kg/day. Inefficient waste management created 7 major blackspots and animals can be noticed eating plastics along with vegetable/fruit waste while grazing food.

As a part of Vedan’s efforts, the leftover fresh produce is diverted to orphanages. Wet waste is collected by the piggeries, cow and sheep owners, Flower waste is sent for the production of incense sticks, the remaining wet waste is collected in a composting unit and dry waste is sent to recycling. All the wastes are collected in trolleys directly from vendors and stored at the Waste Collection Centre which acts as a focal point for its distribution. This market is now an inspiring model to all other markets in the city. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi visited Madiwala Market to understand the system implemented and appreciated the team efforts.

IMPACT

95% of waste segregation
1000-1300kg/day of waste diversion to cows and piggeries
400+ vendors sensitized on waste management
7 major blackspots eliminated
250+ people benefitted from health camps
6000 paper cups/day replaced by steel cups
Reduced Ergonomic strain of PKs by provision of easy-to-handle trolleys and asphalted farmers’ shed
Provision of amenities to PKs – place to dine, first aid box, drinking water, toilets etc
Parking space allotment by Traffic police and Plantation by Horticulture Department

Around 400+ shops in the market and several farmers add to the waste generation in the market as show below.

SL. NO.

TYPE OF WASTE

TOTAL WASTE

Wet waste

Lean Period (Dec to May)
Peak Period (June to Nov)

7000 to 12,000 Kg /day18,000 Kg/day to 22,000 Kg/day

Dry waste

200 to 500 Kg/day

Plan of Action:

Social Venture Partners India (SVP India) played a key role in moving things forward from the political front, bringing in all the stakeholders and providing infrastructure such as crates, trolleys, sheds and bins.

Media Coverage

Bengaluru: Good-quality greens left behind at Madiwala market go to poor – The Times of India

Madiwala market’s journey of managing its waste problem – Citizen Matters