My visit to Mumbai was a quick two day excursion from my base in Pune and because of the tight schedule (and a few minor mishaps) I didn’t get any photographs for my project. However, I did manage to take some short video clips which I will be posting on my facebook page. (My current WordPress account doesn’t allow direct video uploads)

Excel Industries, Mobi Trash and 94.3FM Radio One

Mumbai is about a three hour drive from Pune. After getting lost a few times my driver was able to get directions to my first destination, Excel Industries, where I met with my contact Saurabh Shah, who also happens to be the mind behind Mobi Trash, a mobile composting unit that serves individual patrons all over Mumbai.

At Excel Industries, I was introduced to a few of the chief officers over lunch. After chatting for a bit about my purpose I was taken up to the Environmental and Biotech offices where Saurabh and I spoke further about Excel Industries work. The E&B department of Excel Industries deals primarily with the development of large scale composting machines that can be used for apartments, hospitals and other large institutions. Because of changes to laws regarding how large institutions have to deal with their waste, Excel is one of several large companies capitalizing on the demand for third party waste management solutions.  I had the opportunity to watch one of their composters in action and saw the process from start to finish. Some of the compost is used for the company’s rooftop garden which in turn produces plants needed for agricultural research.

That evening, Saurabh and I went for a short interview together on a local radio program call ‘Drive Mumbai’ on 94.3FM Radio One. We spoke with the host, Erica about our various projects (Me and my SWM research in India, and Saurabh his work with Excel and Mobi Trash).  Like my radio interview in Raipur I was nervous, but was a bit more prepared since this interview had been set up far in advance. My only regret is that I was never able to listen to final broadcast once it went live. However, I hope I was able to communicate my ideas well enough.

After the interview, evening was coming on fast and it was time for me to get back to my hotel for the evening. Saurabh made arrangements for me to visit one of the Mobi Trash units the following day with one of his co-workers and we parted ways. Mobi Trash utilizes trucks outfitted with portable composting machinery and travels to specific customer’s homes or small businesses in order to process their compost. Customers pay a nominal monthly fee for the service and according to Saurabh is slowly gaining in popularity.

Unfortunately, I would never get to that visit because of some problems that came up with my accommodations, after which I became sick. I would spend the next day recovering in a different hotel and organizing my notes from the trip up to that point.  (Although back in Delhi, during the INDOSAN convention I was able to see the Mobi Trash truck from the outside).

On my one outing during this time where I brought my camera I documented mostly organic waste on Mumbai’s back streets. Imagine if a grocery store, rather than dump its waste in a dumpster to contain it, simply left it in a pile on the side of the road. As I observed birds and dogs taking advantage of the free meal I also observed what a safety hazard it posed for animals and humans alike. With cars, bikes and dogs weaving in and out of traffic in order to avoid or get to piles of organic waste, it’s just a matter of time before a serious collision takes place. (In Bengaluru I was witness to a motorbike accident in which a man’s bike toppled over on one leg as he tried to avoid debris in the road.)

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The next two destinations on my journey – Udaipur and Jaipur, would end up being a short break in my research work. However, once I returned to my research in Varanasi, I would see and learn so much more.

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If you’d like to learn more about the companies or individuals mentioned in this post please visit the links below:

Excel Industries Ltd. – http://www.excelind.co.in/

Mobi Trash – http://www.mobitrash.in/

‘Drive Mumbai’ with Erica D – https://www.facebook.com/drivemumbai/?fref=ts