In a significant move toward sustainable waste management, the Commissioner of Police office adopted zero-waste practices as part of the "Swachha Belaku" initiative, which aims to establish waste-free systems across schools, colleges, and government institutions. The initiative seeks to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling by installing efficient waste segregation and composting systems in public institutions. It began in July with the launch of the first zero-waste project at the Commissioner’s office, which had previously sent waste to landfills. With the backing of Bengaluru’s Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, the office has made substantial progress.

Suhasini Hathwar from Vedan, an NGO, explained that during an initial visit to Hegdenagar Police Station, they observed a significant amount of unmanaged waste. They then approached the Commissioner’s office with a proposal for a zero-waste initiative, which was welcomed by Commissioner Dayananda. On July 12, the initiative was inaugurated, with the setup of a dry waste aggregation centre, a lead composter, and multiple bins in various rooms and bathrooms. The housekeeping staff was thoroughly trained to manage waste responsibly.

To help police officials understand the benefits of a zero-waste campus, Commissioner Dayananda organised a visit for Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to the Cambridge Institute of Technology, a campus already practicing zero-waste management. This visit offered valuable insights into sustainable waste practices and demonstrated the positive impacts of effective waste management.

Since the launch of Swachha Belaku, the Commissioner’s office has reported impressive results. In August, 507 kilograms of waste were collected, with 324 kilograms (64 per cent) being diverted from landfill to recycling, generating Rs 5,570 in revenue. In September, the waste collection increased to 1,060 kilograms, with 595.5 kilograms (56 per cent) recycled, earning Rs 6,117.