Diffusing Fragrance: Local civic authorities transform floral waste into incense sticks

In the bustling atmosphere of the 17th International Conference and Exhibition 'Municipalika-2023' held at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) and Chittapura Town Municipal Corporation (CTMC) seized the spotlight with their innovative approach to converting floral waste from temples, dargahs, and markets into agarbattis (incense sticks).

Sheetal Ramatheertha, a senior health inspector at BCC, reportedly revealed that the corporation generates approximately 300 kilograms of floral waste daily within its limits. This waste is meticulously gathered and processed, reducing it to 50 kilograms at the Ashoka Nagar Wholesale Flower Market in Belagavi. Subsequently, the reduced material is transformed into aromatic agarbattis, which are then marketed by Self Help Groups.

HV Kaladagi, Assistant Executive Engineer, Environment at BCC, reportedly explained that the facility, inaugurated four months ago by Subash B Adi, former Upalokayukta and chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, focuses on repurposing floral waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. The waste is separated, ground into powder, and combined with wood gum and glycol to produce around 20,000 incense sticks daily.

Kaladagi emphasized that the Self Help Groups receive assistance with essential raw materials such as flower powder for agarbatti production. He noted that the BCC invested approximately Rs 2 lakh in installing a grinding machine, agarbatti rolling machine, and setting up the necessary infrastructure.

"The Self Help Groups only bear the cost of electricity and provide their own bamboo sticks, as the corporation manages the raw material supply. These incense sticks are subsequently supplied to various companies," Kaladagi added, mentioning that even officials from the Saundatti Yellamma Temple have expressed interest in procuring these environmentally friendly agarbattis.