Sangti's Zero-Waste Revolution: Ittisha Sarah Transforms Himalayan Village into Eco-Paradise
Ittisha Sarah's efforts have turned Sangti, a village in the Eastern Himalayas, into a zero-waste model, empowering locals and preserving the environment for future generations.
Nestled in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Sangti was once struggling with waste management, like many rural villages. But through the efforts of Ittisha Sarah and the Northeast Waste Collective, the village has transformed into a thriving zero-waste model. Sarah’s leadership has not only cleaned up the environment but empowered the community to embrace sustainable living.
Today, Sangti stands as a beacon of hope for other villages, proving that with vision and collaboration, a zero-waste future is possible. The village has also become an eco-tourism hub, where visitors can learn about sustainable living and witness the power of community-driven change. Sangti’s story is a reminder that even the smallest communities, united by a shared vision, can create lasting environmental impact.
A Growing Waste Problem
Image Courtesy: Northeast Waste Collective
According to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India generates over 62 million tons (MT) of waste in a year. Sangti, like many remote villages in India, was not immune to the global problem of waste accumulation. The increasing reliance on single-use plastics, packaging, and non-biodegradable materials led to garbage piling up in streets, forests, and rivers. Although the Monpa community, to which most of Sangti’s residents belong, has a long tradition of living in harmony with nature, the pressures of modernity had begun to affect their once pristine environment.
Before the zero-waste transformation, waste management was an afterthought in Sangti. With no formal waste disposal systems in place, villagers had to rely on primitive methods like open burning and dumping waste in landfills, causing severe pollution. This unsustainable practice had a direct impact on the village's wildlife, water sources, and overall quality of life.
Ittisha Sarah's Vision
In 2020, Ittisha Sarah, an environmental activist and a native of the region, saw the urgent need for change. Armed with a passion for sustainable living and an understanding of her community’s traditional ways, she spearheaded the creation of the Northeast Waste Collective (NWC). With a vision to make Sangti a model for zero-waste living in the region, Sarah set about creating awareness, offering solutions, and inspiring the local population to reimagine their waste habits.
Her journey began with community outreach. Understanding that real change could only happen with community involvement, Sarah took a grassroots approach, engaging villagers through educational workshops, discussions, and hands-on training. She focused on spreading the message of waste reduction, recycling, and composting, aiming to build a local, sustainable ecosystem that would thrive on its own.
Sarah’s efforts soon gained momentum, transforming Sangti into a living example of how a community can take charge of its environment. At the heart of the zero-waste initiative is the emphasis on reducing waste at the source. The villagers have embraced several key practices to ensure their waste footprint is minimised.
1. Segregation and Recycling
In 2019, India's plastic recycling rate was 8%, and a study suggests that it will only increase to 11% by 2035 if the current trends continue. Sangti villagers began sorting their waste at the household level, separating biodegradable from non-biodegradable materials. Organic waste, such as kitchen scraps and agricultural by-products, is composted to create valuable fertiliser for local farms. Non-recyclable waste is collected and sent to proper disposal units, while recyclable items like plastics, metals, and glass are reused or repurposed.
2. Composting Initiatives
According to MoHUA, there are a total 2,507 plants designed to handle wet biodegradable waste and possessing a collective capacity of 117,112 tonnes per day (TPD). Composting became a key practice in the Sangti village, turning organic waste into valuable compost that helps in enriching the soil. The community runs composting programs at both the household and collective levels, creating a sustainable cycle of organic waste and agricultural nourishment.
3. Plastic-Free Lifestyle
Research shows that 150 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions could be eliminated, if we prevented 100% of the plastic leakage from India and Indonesia, alone, by 2030. Sangti has made significant strides towards eliminating single-use plastics. The village has adopted alternatives like bamboo straws, cloth bags, and metal containers, reducing plastic consumption dramatically. Local artisans also produce eco-friendly products, which reduces dependency on imported plastic goods.
4. Eco-Friendly Alternatives
In addition to reducing plastic use, Sarah and her team have introduced natural alternatives in everyday life. For instance, natural materials like bamboo, wood, and cloth have replaced plastic in household items, reducing environmental footprints while promoting traditional craftwork. Just like us, the citizens, have adopted better and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic, brands are also doing their part. Read it here.
One of the driving forces behind the success of Sangti’s zero-waste initiative is the emphasis on education. Sarah and the Northeast Waste Collective conducted regular workshops and training sessions, teaching villagers how to create their own compost bins, recycle effectively, and reduce waste generation at the source. Additionally, the collective established waste collection centres, where villagers can drop off recyclables, keeping them away from the landfill.
By integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices, Sarah has helped cultivate a deep sense of environmental stewardship within the community. Local women, in particular, have been instrumental in the movement, taking leadership roles in organising waste management efforts and spreading the message of sustainability to the younger generation.
Sangti’s zero-waste transformation has led to several positive changes, both environmentally and socially.
1. Cleaner Environment
With the reduction of waste and the implementation of recycling programs, the village has seen a remarkable decrease in pollution. The streets, rivers, and forests of Sangti, once plagued by trash, have become cleaner and healthier. Local wildlife, including birds, deer, and other species, are also benefiting from this cleaner habitat.
2. Increased Livelihood Opportunities
The zero-waste movement has created new economic opportunities. Villagers are now involved in creating eco-friendly products, such as bamboo and cloth bags, which are sold to tourists. The focus on sustainable agriculture, aided by composting, has also helped improve crop yields, making farming more profitable.
3. Strengthened Community Ties
The collective effort towards waste management has fostered a sense of unity and purpose in the village. By working together to solve a common problem, Sangti’s residents have strengthened their community bonds and created a model of cooperation that extends beyond environmental issues.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While Sangti’s journey towards zero waste is inspiring, it has not been without its challenges. Changing deep-seated habits, overcoming the initial resistance to new ideas, and ensuring sustained participation have required continuous effort. Additionally, there have been logistical hurdles, such as securing funding for waste management infrastructure and ensuring that the project remains self-sustaining in the long term.
However, with Sarah's ongoing leadership and the community's commitment to the cause, Sangti is well on its way to becoming a beacon of hope for other villages and towns looking to adopt sustainable practices.
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