NDMC tags Sangli Apartments 'Anupam Colony' for zero-waste living
Synopsis
NDMC has certified Sangli Apartments on Copernicus Marg as an 'Anupam Colony' — its zero-waste residential badge — after the complex achieved near 100% source segregation. With compost converters, plastic vending machines, and a reuse centre all running in-house, it joins eight other colonies on a list that is quietly redefining how New Delhi handles its waste at the neighbourhood level.
Key Takeaways
NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra declared Sangli Apartments, Copernicus Marg an 'Anupam Colony' on 22 June .
The complex has achieved near 100 per cent source segregation across all households.
Infrastructure includes an Organic Waste Converter , an RRR Centre , and a plastic waste vending machine .
Horticulture waste is converted into eco-friendly briquettes under a waste-to-wealth model.
Earlier 'Anupam Colony' recipients include Jor Bagh , New Moti Bagh , Bharti Nagar , and Bapu Dham , among others.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Monday, 22 June formally designated Sangli Apartments, Copernicus Marg, as an 'Anupam Colony' — its highest civic recognition for zero-waste and self-sustainable residential living. NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra unveiled a commemorative plaque at the complex, marking it as a model for community-led environmental stewardship in the capital.
What 'Anupam Colony' Means
The 'Anupam Colony' certification is awarded by the NDMC to residential communities that meet rigorous standards of waste segregation, recycling, and sustainability. Sangli Apartments earned the tag by achieving near 100 per cent source segregation — meaning every household actively participates in separating waste at the point of generation, an official said.
Chandra credited residents for driving the transformation. 'The most important thing is the enthusiasm, energy, and spirit with which the residents of this colony have come forward. You can see that the Air Commodore himself is present here, and at every step, the residents' participation has been precise and proactive,' he said. 'It is because of this involvement that we have been able to achieve this in such a short period of time,' he added.
Infrastructure Behind the Model
The sustainability framework at Sangli Apartments rests on several integrated systems. An RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Centre allows residents to donate clothes, books, and household goods for reuse. A plastic waste collection-cum-vending machine incentivises the return of plastic bottles, embedding recycling behaviour at the household level.
Wet waste from homes is processed through an Organic Waste Converter (OWC), producing compost used to maintain the colony's parks and green spaces. Horticulture waste — dry leaves and garden trimmings — is converted into eco-friendly briquettes, completing a waste-to-wealth cycle that keeps the complex largely self-sufficient in green upkeep.
Other Colonies Carrying the Tag
Sangli Apartments joins a growing list of NDMC-recognised communities. Earlier recipients of the 'Anupam Colony' designation include Jor Bagh, New Moti Bagh, D1, D2, Satya Sadan Officers' Flats, Bharti Nagar, Aradhana (Burmah Shell Cooperative Housing Society Ltd), and Bapu Dham.
Broader Push for Sustainable New Delhi
The NDMC's Anupam Colony programme reflects a wider civic effort to shift waste management responsibility from municipal agencies to residents themselves. By embedding infrastructure — composters, vending machines, and reuse centres — directly within colonies, the council is attempting to make sustainable behaviour the path of least resistance for households. Chandra described the Sangli Apartments initiative as 'a significant step in strengthening community-led environmental stewardship and promoting a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New Delhi.' With the programme expanding steadily, the NDMC is expected to certify additional colonies in the coming months.
Point of View
But the harder question is replicability: these are relatively affluent, well-organised housing societies with resident welfare associations capable of sustaining participation. Whether the model can travel to denser, less-organised neighbourhoods in the NDMC zone remains untested. The programme's expansion list will be the real indicator of ambition.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDMC 'Anupam Colony' certification?
'Anupam Colony' is a tag awarded by the New Delhi Municipal Council to residential communities that achieve high standards of zero-waste living, including source segregation, composting, recycling, and reuse. It recognises colonies that operate largely self-sufficient waste management systems.
Why was Sangli Apartments given the 'Anupam Colony' tag?
Sangli Apartments on Copernicus Marg was recognised for achieving near 100 per cent source segregation, operating an Organic Waste Converter for compost, running an RRR Centre for reusable goods, and using a plastic vending machine to incentivise recycling — making it a comprehensive zero-waste model.
Which other colonies have received the 'Anupam Colony' designation?
Earlier recipients include Jor Bagh, New Moti Bagh, D1, D2, Satya Sadan Officers' Flats, Bharti Nagar, Aradhana (Burmah Shell Cooperative Housing Society Ltd), and Bapu Dham — all within the NDMC jurisdiction.
What infrastructure does an 'Anupam Colony' typically have?
Most certified colonies house an RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Centre, a plastic waste collection-cum-vending machine, and an Organic Waste Converter that turns wet waste into compost. Horticulture waste is processed into eco-friendly briquettes.
Who is responsible for the Anupam Colony programme?
The programme is run by the New Delhi Municipal Council. NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra has been its public face, personally unveiling plaques at certified colonies and emphasising resident participation as the key driver of success.
