KOLKATA : In the bustling, vibrant streets of Kolkata, a group of young innovators from Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar has taken a bold step to combat one of the city’s most pressing challenges—littering and waste management. Inspired by their daily encounters with overflowing trash bins and unsightly litter, five students from the school have developed an innovative solution, aptly named ‘The Dustbin of Dreams,’ to contribute to a cleaner, more beautiful Kolkata.
Kolkata, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and lively streets, faces a growing problem with waste disposal and littering. The issue has not only marred the city’s aesthetic appeal but has also contributed to environmental pollution. Determined to act, these young students – Arshi Drolia, Srithi Bhattacharya, Aradhana Ghosh and Jagriti Jhunjhunwala came together to design an automatic dustbin that makes disposing of waste easier, more hygienic, and more effective.
Their innovative dustbin, equipped with advanced sensors, automatically detects when someone approaches and opens its lid, allowing users to dispose of their waste without needing to touch the bin. ‘The dustbin also features a built-in trash compacting system that reduces the volume of waste, preventing the bin from filling up too quickly and reducing the frequency of waste collection. To further encourage positive behavior, the students incorporated a digital display screen that thanks users for properly disposing of their trash, promoting a sense of community responsibility in keeping the city clean,’ one of the student inventors, Srithi Bhattacharya explained.
Speaking about their motivation behind the project, the students shared how personal the issue of littering had become for them. ‘Having grown up witnessing the detrimental effects of waste on our city’s environment, we felt a strong sense of responsibility to create change. This personal connection led us to design ‘The Dustbin of Dreams’—a symbol of our vision for a cleaner, greener Kolkata,’ another inventor Aradhana Ghosh added.
‘Our project was born from the love we have for our city,’ another participating student inventor, Arshi Drolia stated. ‘We wanted to make something that not only helps reduce litter but also encourages people to take part in keeping Kolkata clean,’ Jagriti Jhunjhunwala added.
The students’ innovative project has already garnered attention from both their school and the local community, inspiring others to think creatively about solving environmental issues. Their goal is to implement the dustbins in public spaces across the city, helping to address the problem of littering at its source while fostering a culture of cleanliness and civic pride.
As these young innovators continue to push forward with their project, they hope to collaborate with local authorities, businesses, and environmental organizations to bring their vision of a cleaner Kolkata to life.
