Plastic reverse vending machines gather dust in city amid public apathy, neglect

Ludhiana’s ambitious efforts to combat plastic pollution under the Smart City Mission have hit a wall of neglect, poor implementation and lack of public awareness.

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Nearly three years ago, the Municipal Corporation installed 10 plastic reverse vending machines across the city at a cost of Rs 41 lakh — meant to recycle plastic bottles, wrappers and cans into reusable material. Today, most machines stand idle, unused and have turned merely into dustbins.

Installed at high-footfall locations such as Civil Hospital, Guru Nanak Stadium, Mother and Child Hospital, DC Complex, Sarabha Nagar Main Market, Model Town Gole Market, Model Town Extension Market, Bus Stand and Government College for Girls, these machines were intended to reduce plastic waste volumes. Each unit had a bin capacity of up to 2,000 bottles (100 ml to 2,500 ml) and was capable of crushing multi-layer packaging, including chips wrappers and soft drink bottles.

However, officials failed to ensure that the machines receive electricity connections at several sites. In a place such as Sarabha Nagar, a temporary power hook-up from a public toilet was used initially but later removed — rendering the machines useless. At the Civil Hospital, the machine was declared defunct just days after installation. It had its charging point broken by vandals and missing parts were reported.

A shopkeeper from the Sarabha Nagar main market said they were not aware of the use of the machine. Officials should have at least given them a demonstration on its working.

The location of the machine was not apt as most people did not go to that side. It is just wastage of money as the machine is just gathering dust,” said another shopkeeper.

A common problem across all locations was lack of awareness among citizens. No training or demonstrations were offered and signage was often in English, leaving less-educated citizens confused about the usage. Hospital staff admitted to rarely using the same and patients — largely from economically weaker backgrounds — were unaware of their purpose.

“I once tried putting a plastic bottle in the machine but I don’t know where the crushed material went,” said a doctor at the Civil Hospital. Even when someone tried using them, it wasn’t clear whether the recycling process was completed or the waste properly collected.

A patient at the hospital was looking with curiosity at the machine and asked what was this machine about. When he was told about its usage, he seemed little interested in knowing more and was unable to understand its importance.

The vending machine project included a five-year maintenance plan yet upkeep has been virtually absent. The machines have been vandalised or broken and some turned into garbage bins themselves.

According to experts, lack of proper plastic disposal contributes significantly to growing heaps of waste across Ludhiana.

Municipal officials had once hailed the machines as eco-friendly innovations but the fanfare quickly faded and the initiative devolved into a symbolic gesture.

Experts continue to warn about toxic effects of plastic waste — including soil contamination and polluted groundwater.

“Burning plastic emits hazardous fumes that heighten risks of asthma, cancer and other respiratory diseases and the machines designed to mitigate this danger remain neglected,” said Kulwinder Kaur, a senior citizen from Model Town.