Lok Bhavan, Assam – A Zero Waste Campus Initiative

In partnership with TERI-NERC, the Lok Bhavan campus in Assam has been transformed into a Zero Waste Campus, showcasing an integrated and sustainable waste management model.

The Model

The initiative ensures systematic segregation of waste into dry and wet streams, supported by an on-site Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Recyclable materials are processed efficiently, while organic waste is converted into compost, promoting circular resource use.

Wastewater management is addressed through reed bed systems using root zone technology, further enhanced by bio-augmentation for effective treatment of greywater and blackwater.

Key Outcomes

• The initiative has yielded measurable environmental benefits, quantified below:
• 24.76 metric tonnes of solid waste processed per annum
• 6,685.2 m³ of wastewater (black and grey water) treated per annum
• 81.25 per cent eduction in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
• 62.85 per cent reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD)
• 72.8 per cent decrease in total dissolved solids (TDS)
• 60.8 per cent decrease in total hardness for wastewater
• 86 per cent elimination of faecal coliform

Vision and Sustainability

The initiative significantly reduces environmental impact, improves resource recovery, and aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission. Strong community participation ensures long-term sustainability and replicability of the model.