The Role of Quick Food Delivery Apps in Waste Management and Sustainability
Quick food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy have facilitated convenient purchases of food and grocery items through their rapid 8-10 minute delivery services. Their color-coded, uniformed drivers can be seen zigzagging around cities, rushing to deliver orders while working 24/7. The products are often packed into bags and delivered to consumers, with the apps themselves boasting a running counter of the total deliveries made each day. The ease of access, tactical advertising, busy schedules, and absence of work-life balance prompt more and more users to rely on these services for everyday consumption. The result? A large amount of packaging waste is generated and discarded daily.
The companies have taken certain measures and initiatives to reduce the consumption of and recycle these aforementioned packaging bags—or at least they claim to do so. For instance, Swiggy’s Instamart provides grocery items in a special type of packet that is different from plastic and shouts at the user in large font, drawing attention to its reality as a compostable bag. A very nice initiative, but a question begs to be asked on its own – how many people have composting pits in the first place?
In a city like Gurgaon, with its sprawling concrete and glass structures, it can be an honest challenge to even find a piece of soil, let alone set up a composting pit. Furthermore, establishing and maintaining a composting pit can be daunting, especially for beginners, given the lack of awareness and knowledge about the subject. Coupled with extremely busy work schedules that stretch from 8 AM to 9–10 PM, individuals often find little to no time to learn, practice, and maintain composting systems. This is truly unfortunate, as composting offers a cheap, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternative to manage waste streams that eventually accumulate into landfills (or “land mountains”) on the outskirts of the city.
Also Read: The Story of Waste Management In India
Since the practice of composting is not prevalent in everyday modern culture, chances are these so-called sustainable bags end up in the same waste stream as regular garbage—mixing with dry, wet, and electronic waste. They eventually find their way to illegal dumping zones, where they are processed without proper protocol by ragpickers, waste workers, and locals who lack the appropriate tools and knowledge to manage such waste effectively.
This highlights the role and responsibility of not just corporations and governments but also consumers. While it is common to criticize the government for a lack of effective initiatives—and rightly so—this does not exempt everyday users from their responsibility. Environmental protection, waste management, and cleanliness are both social and personal responsibilities that demand active participation from all members of society in initiating and executing sustainable practices.
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Composting pits can be an environmentally friendly, cheap, and sustainable method to not only manage waste flow but also encourage active engagement with the soil and nature, bridging the gap between humans and Mother Earth. The presence of these pits also sets the foundation for enhanced ecosystems with a rich culture of vegetation. Increased soil coverage with greener plants can also help cool down city temperatures, which tend to rise due to the presence of concrete, glass, and other heat-absorbing materials, resulting in the Urban Heat Island Effect.
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There are many small yet impactful initiatives that individuals can undertake to lessen the strain on the environment and reduce the influx of hazardous waste into disposal systems. By taking small steps such as separating waste at home, encouraging composting, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives, individuals can contribute to a sustainable future. When coupled with corporate innovations and government support, these efforts can yield significant health, environmental, economic, and social benefits for society as a whole.
In an era where climate change-induced extremities are increasing, simple and cost-effective solutions can pave the way for larger momentum, creating a healthier society that ensures the well-being of all and nurtures environmental growth.
