In observance of World Environment Day 2025, Mokokchung district launches the “Trade Waste for Green” drive, a community-centric initiative aimed at tackling plastic pollution and transitioning toward a zero-waste future.
Northeast India generates over 500 metric tons of plastic waste daily. Nagaland alone produces approximately 160 metric tons of solid waste per day, with 8–12% being plastic—equating to 6,000–7,000 tons annually.
Mokokchung contributes an estimated 1.5–2 tons of plastic waste every month. With no formal recycling systems in place, much of this waste ends up being openly burned or dumped, releasing harmful toxins like dioxins and furans that degrade air quality and soil health.
Despite commendable local clean-up efforts, geographical challenges such as Mokokchung’s mountainous terrain hinder effective waste transportation and access to centralized facilities. These barriers underscore the urgent need for localized solutions and policy support to transition toward a circular economy.
The “Trade Waste for Green” Drive with its slogan “Let’s Beat Plastic for a Green Mokokchung” mobilizes residents, schools, businesses, municipal authorities, and government departments to collectively own and drive sustainable waste management. Participants exchange segregated plastic waste for native saplings—linking waste reduction directly to reforestation. Geo-tagged photos uploaded to the Meri LiFE Portal ensure transparency and track long-term environmental impact.
Once collected, the waste is delivered to the Municipal Material Recovery Facility (MRF), but stakeholders are already envisioning the way forward. Inspired by models from Sikkim and Odisha, communities are pushing for decentralized recycling units across Nagaland. The initiative also explores energy generation from waste—mirroring Sweden’s success where waste fuels homes and industries—as well as using plastic waste in construction materials and converting it into compost and organic fertilizers for revenue generation.
Local businesses are encouraged to reduce plastic packaging under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines and promote eco-friendly alternatives like paper, jute, and cloth bags. NGOs and CSR organizations can fund sapling distribution, recycling infrastructure, and skill development programs for waste workers.
The campaign aims to plant more than a lakh saplings and hope to exchange for waste in the drive and engageparticipants from all sections of the society. Verified data will be shared on the Meri LiFE and
It is expected that this drive will help in the reduction in plastic pollution, enhance urban biodiversity, empower community and improve livelihoods, strengthen municipal policies & EPR adoption by businesses. Incentivising green activities such as recycling is also aimed to boost tourism and job creation via green projects.
Though the event takes place in a single week, its vision is long-term: laying the foundation for sustainable waste governance and a circular economy in Mokokchung. By uniting communities, councils, and corporations, this initiative demonstrates how localized action—supported by strong advocacy—can propel India’s sustainability goals.
Let’s beat plastic together—for a greener, cleaner Mokokchung!
Dr Sentitula IFS
Divisional Forest Officer
Mokokchung