One housing complex at a time, we can build greener cities, greener countries and eventually a healthier, happier earth. A collective green effort from all the members of a society can transform the way it functions. Which eventually is not only healthier for our earth but is also incredibly rewarding for its members.

Here are 4 ways you can contribute to your society’s infrastructure and make it greener in the process.

Harvest Rainwater 

Even though groundwater levels in the cities are going lower, every monsoon brings amples of opportunities for us to make the best of the rainwater. Unfortunately, most rainwater that our cities see gets wasted because there is not enough planning towards harvesting the rainwater.

Installing a rainwater harvesting system for your society can cost you approximately 3 lakh rupees, but it is an investment that will 100% pay off. The water this system will harvest can potentially supply water to your society all around the year. For every inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot, 720 liters of water can be collected. This means even if you live in a place that does not see much rain, the amount of water collected everytime it rains would be sufficient.

Harvesting rainwater also reduces the risk of urban flooding by preventing soil erosion and reducing the flow of stormwater.

Use Solar Energy

Imagine creating your own energy and becoming efficient towards your environment. India has a harsh summer in some of its regions and due to the use of acs, electricity bills can go eye poppingly high. Installing your own solar energy panels can mean:

• You get electricity consistently
• Lofty electricity bills go non-existent. 
• Your carbon footprint is reduced
• They work in monsoons as well
• It is very low maintenance

It is important to make sure you are investing in a good manufacturer who has a reputation for making good quality and long lasting solar panels.

Start a Society Garden

A society garden is an excellent way to bring organic food to your kitchen while reducing the dependency on outside resources. If you do not have enough space in your own garden or terrace, a plot or a garden from your society can serve as a shared space to grow food, fruits and vegetables. Start by ordering seeds in bulk.

You have to be mindful when you are planning to have a society garden. Some of the things to keep in mind are:

1. To appoint a site manager who can keep inspecting/caring for the shared garden.
2. To have a board of people responsible for making important decisions.
3. To grow plants and foods that are usually grown in your region.
4. To appoint specific spaces to individual plants so one species of plant does not take over others.
5. To have a plan on how the grown food will be distributed.

A society garden can be a great place for the elderly of our society to spend productive time and for our children to learn how to grow their own food.

Adopt a waste management model

So far, your society has its own water harvesting system, it creates its own energy and it also has its own garden growing food. This is where waste management comes into play. Where does the wasted food go? Do you know how to recycle? Are you spending good money towards the fertilizers for your society garden?

It is absolutely possible to become a society that creates 0% waste. Installing separate bins for dry and wet waste can ensure that the dry waste (Plastic,metals, e-waste) gets recycled and wet waste can be turned into compost that can not only be used to grow the plants in your society garden but can also be sold outside to make monetary gains.