On March 30, the small coastal town of Varkala in Kerala is set to be officially named a ‘Zero Waste City’ by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) .
This recognition places Varkala among a select group of 20 urban settlements worldwide celebrated for their commitment to sustainable waste management. While the accolade is a significant honour, it prompts a deeper inquiry: What does it truly mean to be a ‘Zero Waste City,’ and how does Varkala’s model stand as a replicable example, especially when compared to other cities in the UN’s programme?
A common cynical view dismisses the ‘zero waste’ concept as a superficial label for places that simply appear clean. However, the reality is far more complex. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) clarifies that ‘zero waste’ is not about producing absolutely no waste at all, which is nearly impossible in modern societies.
Instead, it is a long-term goal and a systemic approach focused on preventing waste generation in the first place, reusing materials, and redesigning products and processes to minimize what ends up in landfills . It is a journey of continuous improvement, not a destination of absolute purity.
The UN’s own criteria for selecting its ‘20 Zero Waste Cities’ reflect this holistic approach. The selection process, managed by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, evaluates cities on nine key pillars: Impact & Sustainability, Zero Waste Communications & Outreach, Policy Framework, Partnerships & Collaboration, Inclusiveness & Social Equity, Innovation & Technology, Financial Sustainability, Scalability & Transferability, and Monitoring & Reporting . This framework makes it clear that the recognition is not merely for clean streets but for a robust, inclusive, and forward-thinking system.
Varkala in Context: A Small Town with a Big System
When examining the list of 40 “Changemaker Cities” that have participated in UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise Cities Challenge over the past two years, a striking fact emerges. Many of the participating cities have populations far smaller than Varkala’s roughly 40,000 residents . For instance, several Lebanese cities in the challenge, such as Aaqoura (12,000), Ainata Al Arz (3,000), and Edde (2,750), are considerably smaller .
While many larger cities like Bangalore (10 million) and Dakar (5 million) are also on the list, Varkala’s potential inclusion is significant because it demonstrates that a comprehensive waste management system can be effectively implemented in a densely populated municipality, not just in smaller towns or villages.
This is where the Varkala model, and by extension, the Kerala model, truly shines. The state has pioneered a decentralized approach to waste management, encapsulated in the principle of “My Waste, My Responsibility.” This strategy shifts the onus of waste processing from overburdened centralized systems to the source of generation—individual households, communities, and local institutions .
The Haritha Karma Sena: Green Warriors at the Core
At the heart of this decentralized model is the Haritha Karma Sena (Green Task Force), a state-wide network of trained, predominantly female entrepreneurs from the Kudumbashree mission, Kerala’s poverty eradication and women’s empowerment program. These green warriors are not just waste collectors; they are key players in a circular economy. They go door-to-door, collecting segregated non-biodegradable waste, which is then transported to material collection and resource recovery facilities for recycling .
This approach, as outlined in the World Bank-assisted Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), emphasizes source segregation, community-level composting or bio-methanation for biodegradable waste, and robust recycling channels for inorganic materials . Varkala has excelled in implementing this system, earning a high star rating in the national Swachh Survekshan survey and consistently ranking as one of the state’s best-performing municipalities.
What truly sets Varkala apart, and likely played a key role in its UN recognition, is its innovative approach to handling one of the most challenging waste streams: sanitary waste. In September 2025, Varkala launched Kerala’s first sanitary waste-to-energy plant.
This facility, built at a cost of ₹1.5 crore, can process five tonnes of waste per day- including sanitary pads, diapers, and non-recyclable fabrics – and generate up to 60 kilowatts of electricity daily . This technological solution to a persistent environmental and health hazard demonstrates a commitment to innovation and financial sustainability, two of the core criteria for the UN’s recognition.
More Than Just a Title
So, does the ‘Zero Waste City’ title make sense? In Varkala’s case, it appears to be more than just a label. It is a recognition of a deeply embedded, socially inclusive, and technologically advancing system. It challenges the notion that waste management is solely the government’s problem and proves that community participation, empowered by a strong policy framework, can yield remarkable results.
The Varkala model matters because it offers a scalable and transferable blueprint. It shows that a city with a significant population and high tourist footfall can successfully implement a decentralized system that not only manages waste effectively but also creates green jobs and generates clean energy. It is a testament to the idea that ‘zero waste’ is not about an absence of waste, but the presence of a thoughtful, resilient, and circular system. As Varkala steps into the global spotlight, it offers a powerful lesson for cities across India and the world: the journey to zero waste begins not with a magic bullet, but with shared responsibility.
References:
[1] Varkala municipality makes it to UN’s global ‘Zero Waste City’ list – The New Indian Express
[2] 3 myths about zero waste explained – UNDP
[3] Zero Waste Cities: Nominate your City, Town or Municipality – UN-Habitat
[4] Varkala Municipality – Wikipedia
[5] Waste Wise Cities Challenge – UN-Habitat
[6] Waste Management in Kerala: A Model for Success – Medium
[7] About Haritha Karma Sena – Kudumbashree
[9] Kerala’s First Sanitary Waste-to-Energy Plant Begins Operations in Varkala – PRD Live
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