On 8th and 9th September 2025, the village of Nalagarh marked a significant milestone in its journey towards sustainable waste management. Under the HUL Prakriti Project, the Organic Waste Converter (OWC) and curing unit were inaugurated at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), in the presence of 22 participants, including community representatives and the Development Alternatives field team.

The two-day programme showcased how months of groundwork, from distributing household bins to setting up collection vehicles and managing dry waste through the MRF, came together with this final piece. The OWC machine, with a capacity of 500 kg per day, demonstrated how segregated kitchen waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost within minutes. The curing unit, equipped with automated drip irrigation, ensures optimal decomposition, turning waste into usable compost in just two weeks.

The inauguration was more than a technical demonstration; it was a moment of realisation for the community. Witnessing their daily segregated waste being converted into compost, residents understood how their small household actions contribute to a larger system. As one participant remarked, “Ab samajh aaya, kachra alag karna sirf humare ghar ke liye nahi, gaon ke liye zaruri hai.” (Now I understand, segregating waste isn’t just for our homes, it’s for the village). With this step, Nalagarh has become one of the first gram panchayats in the region to achieve a complete, decentralised waste management cycle. The next phase will involve training community members in compost handling, developing a business model for compost sales, and strengthening monitoring systems.

This initiative demonstrates how technology and community participation can turn challenges into opportunities, creating cleaner surroundings, sustaining livelihoods, and nurturing the soil.