Aluminium can recycling takes spotlight at the UNESCO-inscribed Durga Puja festival

India, often hailed as the land of gods and goddesses, has stepped into its vibrant festival season of 2024. This week marks the beginning of the grandest celebration in the eastern part of the country—Durga Puja.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2021 inscribed Kolkata’s Durga Puja on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is the first time in Asia, giving the Bengalis and Indians a reason to rejoice.

UNESCO recognised Durga Puja for its cultural significance. It draws millions of devotees and spectators to the streets, where they marvel at the artistic grandeur of the goddess Durga in her many forms.

From intricately crafted clay and metal idols to modern fibreglass depictions, the goddess rises majestically from bamboo-framed structures draped in dazzling ornaments and traditional attire. The festival, however, is not just about religious devotion. It is a rich celebration of culture, creativity, and community. As the festival-goers are affectionately called, Pandal hoppers spend their nights exploring the countless themed pandals (temporary structures that house the idols), each telling a unique story through its design and execution.

Organised by both individuals and communities, Durga Puja is a centuries-old tradition that has evolved into a symbol of humanism and unity. While the festival honours the goddess, it also reflects India’s diverse cultural heritage and the artistic spirit that thrives within its people.

New Town, Kolkata's rapidly growing satellite city and emerging IT hub after Salt Lake, has embraced a unique social and environmental initiative. The organisers of the New Town Durga Puja are championing aluminium can recycling, blending tradition with sustainability to promote responsible waste management and environmental consciousness during the festive season.

Promoting aluminium cans recycling is essential for several environmental and economic reasons. Firstly, recycling aluminium cans significantly reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing new cans from raw materials. It takes approximately 95 per cent less energy to recycle aluminium than to create it from bauxite ore. This energy efficiency reduces fossil fuel consumption and pollution, helping mitigate climate change and preserve natural resources. Additionally, recycling aluminium contributes to a circular economy, reusing and repurposing materials, minimising waste and environmental impact.

Economically, promoting aluminium cans recycling is not just beneficial but a smart move. It can create jobs and support local economies. The recycling industry provides numerous employment opportunities in collecting, sorting, processing, and transporting recycled materials. As the demand for recycled aluminium increases, companies can save on raw material costs, making their products more competitive. Furthermore, by encouraging consumers to participate in recycling programs, communities can generate revenue from selling recycled materials. Overall, aluminium cans recycling is a win-win solution that fosters environmental sustainability while driving economic growth. So, by promoting and participating in aluminium cans recycling, we are doing our part for the environment and making a sound economic choice.

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