Mumbai River Cleaning Project with United Nations
Earth5R was selected as one of the five recipients to receive funding totaling 0.6 million euros for the ambitious project aimed at cleaning plastic waste from the Mithi River in Mumbai, India.
In collaboration with esteemed partners such as the United Nations Technology Innovation Labs (UNTIL), Huhtamäki Oyj, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and RiverRecycle, Earth5R embarked on this crucial endeavor.
Huhtamaki, a leading global provider of sustainable packaging solutions, had allocated a significant contribution of 3 million euros towards various global sustainability initiatives with a localized impact. By investing in innovation and fostering initiatives that addressed pressing sustainability challenges, Huhtamaki made a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
Over the years, the Mithi River has devolved into a dumping ground for a myriad of pollutants, ranging from raw sewage and industrial waste to municipal garbage. The once pristine waters now bear the burden of human neglect, with vast swathes of the river choked by organic waste such as cattle rearing byproducts, sludge, and invasive water hyacinth. This rampant pollution has wreaked havoc on the river’s delicate ecosystem, leading to a drastic decline in biodiversity and water quality.
The River was meticulously mapped using drones both before and after the project implementation, and the gathered data was comprehensively analyzed to devise further solutions.
Extensive research on plastic waste was also conducted, aimed at fostering innovative solutions that align with the principles of the circular economy.
Driven by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, enthusiastic children and citizens from various colleges, schools, and offices across Mumbai were mobilized. Their active involvement facilitated an effective, solution-based approach to addressing the pervasive issue of plastic pollution in the Mithi River.
This partnership was envisioned as a pivotal step towards fostering impactful and innovative solutions to confront the pressing challenges posed by plastic pollution in developing markets.
The primary objective of this joint initiative was to undertake comprehensive measures to cleanse the Mithi River using innovative methodologies. Beyond the immediate cleanup efforts, the project aimed to raise awareness about effective waste management practices and promote the adoption of circular economy principles. By integrating livelihood-based models into the restoration efforts, the project sought to not only rejuvenate the Mithi River but also uplift the surrounding communities.
Through this collaborative effort, Earth5R and its partners were committed to fostering environmental stewardship, promoting sustainable practices, and creating lasting positive impacts on the local ecosystem and community.
This project underscored the importance of collective action and partnership in addressing complex environmental challenges. Together, we strived towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.
ABOUT EARTH5R
Earth5R is an environmental organization from India with its head office at Mumbai. It works with the NGO sector, Companies and helps them conduct environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs across India. Earth5R specializes in circular economy based projects. Earth5R also offers short term and long term environmental courses.
Earth5R’s Global Sustainability Hub is a cross-sector and cross-country collaboration in pursuit of UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is an excellent opportunity for governments and the private sector to engage with communities, use Sustainability-based models to drive economic changes and create social and environmental impact.