New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- What if the waste generated by a household never had to reach a landfill? In south Delhi's Navjeevan Vihar, more than 280 families are showing that with simple habits, community participation and smart waste management, garbage can be turned into a resource rather than a burden.

The colony has adopted a "zero waste to landfill" model in which residents segregate wet and dry waste at source. Kitchen waste, including vegetable and fruit peels, is converted into compost within the colony and used for gardening, while dry waste such as plastic is sent for recycling.

For the Banerjee family, waste segregation has become part of everyday life. Resident Gopa Banerjee says separating waste at source is essential for protec...