The Eco Crusaders of EI: Leading a Quiet Revolution
- Dipali Vyas
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Lavanya Karthik
Madhuri Parthasarathy
Dipti Kapadia,
Dipali Vyas and Rani, Sakshi, Namita
EI Eco Crusaders Team
How a community-led composting movement is turning daily waste into something truly wonderful.
In the heart of our bustling EI community, something remarkable is unfolding —in the quiet corners of P1 (near basketball Court) where waste becomes compost, and compost becomes life.
Welcome to the world of EI Eco Crusaders — a group of residents and staff working together to ensure our society manages its waste sustainably and responsibly. With green representatives from every tower, and the invaluable support of our housekeeping staff, the Eco Crusaders have built an efficient and deeply impactful composting ecosystem — one that’s become a model for urban residential communities.
The Process: From Kitchen Waste to Garden Gold
Everyday in Phase 1 of EI, 450–480 kg of wet waste is generated — vegetable peels, food scraps, fruit waste. Instead of sending this to a landfill, this waste is segregated at source and moved to composting bins within the premises.
Through careful monitoring and processing, this waste is transformed into nutrient-rich compost — about 1,000 kg every month.
This compost feeds our own society gardens and is also sold — making the model economically sustainable too. Here’s a snapshot of last year’s compost usage:
🌼 Used in EI Gardens: 2,465 kg
🛍️ Sold to EI Residents: 220 kg
🚛 Bulk Sales to External Buyers: 7,000 kg
The earnings are reinvested to expand and improve the composting infrastructure — including adding new bins and supplies. Nothing goes to waste — not even the waste.
The team also champions the creation of bio-enzymes using simple ingredients like citrus peels and jaggery. These are used as natural cleaners and plant boosters, reducing the need for harsh chemicals in our green spaces.
Meet the Faces Behind the Movement
At the core of this powerful initiative are three passionate women —
Madhuri Parthasarathy,
Dipti Kapadia, and
Lavanya Karthik
They are the heart, mind, and soul of the Eco Crusaders movement.
They’ve spent countless hours planning the system, managing the finances, coordinating with staff, and measuring outcomes — all without seeking any fanfare. Their contribution isn’t about titles or recognition — it’s about scientific thinking, quiet leadership, and relentless commitment to a better, greener way of life for our EI.
Why It Matters
The Eco Crusaders have shown us that sustainability isn't an abstract concept. It's real, doable, and something each one of us can contribute to — whether it’s segregating correctly, respecting collection norms, or simply appreciating the effort behind that bag of compost.
They’ve proven that with collaboration, care, and consistency, even 700 flats worth of daily waste can become a source of goodness instead of pollution.
So the next time you drop off your wet waste or walk past a blooming marigold in the garden, pause for a moment. Somewhere in its roots is the care, effort, and vision of the Eco Crusaders — making our community not just cleaner, but kinder to the planet.
Let’s not just applaud them. Let’s join them.
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