Veteran makes zero waste a way of life

At 75, Rajinder Singh Kalra, a retired army veteran and banker, has transformed his Jamalpur Bank Colony home into a model of zero-waste living, driven by his deep love for nature and the environment.

He manages all household waste, both wet and dry, through meticulous terrace composting, ensuring not a single wrapper leaves his property. He even repurposes discarded flowers from his neighbours, turning these into nutrient-rich plant fertiliser.

Reflecting on his early efforts, Kalra recalls, “We developed gardens outside, but the city’s road expansion plans threatened to destroy them. After persistent protests, we secured a green belt.” His home gardening journey began in 2017, starting with a few composting boxes for wet waste. It has now expanded to 16 drums on his terrace. He utilised the extended time during the Covid-19 lockdown to intensify his eco-friendly practices.

“The Municipal Corporation officials took notice of my work and appreciated it,” Kalra shares. “Recognition from the mayor and the MC Commissioner motivated me to work even harder.” He now cultivates a variety of fruits and vegetables at home. “I have apple trees from Bilaspur, expecting fruit next season, and an avocado tree from Sikkim,” he states. He counters the common excuse of limited space by asserting that plants thrive even in small areas. He is currently taking care of more than 500 plants, with his home-grown fruits and vegetables sufficient for his household’s needs.

Kalra’s terrace garden is divided into four sections — flowers, vegetables, organic manure production and bio-enzyme preparation. “I make bio-enzymes from citrus peels, which are excellent for dishwashing, floor cleaning and laundry — all natural,” he explains. He also takes pride in his diverse cactus collection, which blooms with beautiful flowers despite their thorny reputation. His terrace garden has become a haven for sparrows and occasional peacocks.

“Initially, my wife was the keen gardener, but as my passion grew, I started dedicating most of my time to the plants,” Kalra admits. He even scatters fruit seeds during his car journeys, aiming to increase fruit tree populations.

Interestingly, when The Tribune correspondent and lensman were searching for Kalra’s house, local residents, upon being asked for the address, promptly responded, Tusi zero waste home jana (You want to go to the zero-waste home). Residents described the entire Bank Colony as a model, but Kalra’s house is considered exemplary. Kalra actively engages with the Green Thumb group, an NGO focused on green initiatives.

Kalra collaborates with local organisations to educate students about the importance of nature and hosts educational visits for MC officials and residents at his home. “Wrappers come into the house, but they don’t leave as trash,” Kalra explains. “I stuff them into bottles or sacks to create pillows for injured cows at the local shed, providing them comfort.”