BMC to send Lalbaug procession footwear to Bhiwandi for recycling

A dumper-load of discarded footwear was collected from post-procession waste in Lalbaug, Parel and Chinchpokli after Ganpati arrival ceremonies on August 29.

BMC’s F South ward collected slippers, sandals, shoes and boots during night-time sweeping operations. The footwear is being stored at an open ground near Saibaba Path School in Lalbaug before it is sent to Green Sole Foundation’s Bhiwandi facility.

The foundation plans to recover usable soles and other material to make new footwear for free distribution to tribal students and economically disadvantaged children studying in rural Zilla Parishad schools. It also plans distribution in tribal areas, including Gadchiroli, through NGOs with corporate CSR funding.

Vrushali Ingule, assistant municipal commissioner for F South ward, said the ward began the recycling drive this year for footwear collected during the Ganesh festival. She said it is intended to reduce the plastic footwear sent to dumping grounds and BMC’s waste-transport costs.

Green Sole Foundation senior manager Raju Srinivas said the organisation has recycled discarded footwear for 10 years and makes at least one lakh pairs annually.