Every day at Sonika Bhasin’s Mumbai home unfolds with a rhythmic routine. On the kitchen countertop sits a large container, ready to collect the peels and ends of vegetables — remnants of meals yet to be prepared. By evening, these organic scraps find their way into an earthen composter, snugly nestled in a cosy corner of her balcony.

Sonika smiles warmly, her eyes twinkling with a blend of pride and wonder, as she describes the magical transformation that unfolds within its layers. “The process is natural alchemy: time, microorganisms, and a balance of greens and browns create rich, earthy compost — nature’s black gold,” she says.

This compost feeds her garden, turning kitchen waste into vibrant basil, mint, tomatoes, lemons, and curry leaves, which find their way back into her kitchen, completing nature’s beautiful cycle.

Her son, Abir, wide-eyed with curiosity, marvels at this daily miracle, learning the invaluable lesson that waste need not be wasteful.

Mindful choices beyond the compost

Sonika’s commitment doesn’t stop at composting. Her home is a testament to conscious consumption and mindful choices. She has dedicated a bag to collect all dry waste, such as plastic items, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, and e-waste. “Every two weeks, a recycling service called 5R Cycle visits our home to collect the accumulated dry waste. This has been our practice for the last five years,” she says.

Beyond dry and wet waste, there’s also a third category known as reject waste — items like used sanitary pads and diapers, which are neither recyclable nor compostable.

“We strive to avoid producing this kind of waste by minimising disposable usage. We prioritise reusable products, such as cloth napkins instead of tissues. I use a menstrual cup or period panties, ensuring that my menstrual cycle generates no waste. When my son was in diapers, we exclusively used reusable cloth diapers,” she adds.

By focusing on these approaches, Sonika significantly reduced her household waste. As she explored more, she began discovering waste-reducing options — often hidden in plain sight.

“We actively seek out packaging-free options, especially for groceries, as packaging is a major contributor to household waste. Many kirana (grocery) stores offer loose products. Instead of relying on their plastic or paper bags, we bring our reusable cloth pouches and containers,” she explains.

Every purchase, Sonika believes, is a vote for sustainability. “Household necessities come from Indian sustainable brands, wrapped in minimal plastic-free packaging. Even shopping for clothes, previously a frequent indulgence, is now a purposeful........

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