Assessment on Plastic Water Bottle Usage and Solid Waste Management Practices

In October 2025, DAWN Trust carried out a comprehensive Baseline Survey on plastic water bottle usage and solid waste management practices within Perambalur Municipality. The survey focused on understanding the volume of PET bottle consumption, disposal behavior, and the efficiency of municipal waste systems. Field assessments across seven TASMAC outlets revealed that nearly 52,000 plastic bottles are discarded every month, with 80% littered in open spaces due to the absence of proper collection or segregation facilities. Only a small portion is collected by ragpickers or reused in households.

The municipality collects about 20–22 tons of waste daily, but segregation at source remains low at 35–40%, and recyclable plastics are transported to Ariyalur for co-processing. Public littering, indiscriminate dumping by street vendors, and lack of proper bins contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Drain blockages, vacant land dumping, and weekend waste surges were observed as major concerns.

In response, DAWN Trust has undertaken multiple initiatives including awareness campaigns in educational institutions, eco-brick making demonstrations, youth volunteer mobilization, and discussions with municipal authorities to explore better waste segregation practices. Through the “Stuff Plastic… Save Earth…” and “Protect Mother Earth” movements, the Trust is actively promoting community-driven waste reduction and sustainable alternatives.

The survey findings underline the urgent need for dedicated plastic collection bins, strengthened municipal enforcement, widespread community sensitization, and the promotion of eco-bricks as a low-cost, eco-friendly solution. Moving forward, DAWN Trust aims to collaborate with local authorities, youth clubs, and SHGs to launch a “Plastic-Free Perambalur” campaign and conduct quarterly environmental audits to track improvements.

Through these continued efforts, DAWN Trust remains committed to empowering communities and fostering a cleaner, healthier, and plastic-free Perambalur.