India generates over 62 million tonnes of waste annually, but most of it ends up in landfills. Despite national targets, source segregation remains low, and cities struggle with treating waste effectively. Yet, places like Alappuzha, Panaji, and Ambikapur showing the way with local solutions and community efforts. With rising waste and shrinking space, it’s clear that city-led innovation is the way forward.

In small towns like Ambikapur, Alappuzha, and Vengurla, waste management has taken a turn for the innovative. From exchanging plastic for meals to transforming landfills into parks, these cities are showing that size doesn't limit creativity. What if these local solutions could inspire change on a larger scale? How might our own cities rethink waste management to create a cleaner, more sustainable future?