Venu Gopala Swamy Temple to be plastic-free

In a step towards sustainability, an organisation in Malleswaram has launched a ‘Plastic-free temple’ initiative at the Venu Gopala Swamy Temple in Malleswaram. The project aims to significantly reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly practices among devotees, gaining strong support from the temple management and community volunteers.

Temples are often visited by large numbers of devotees who face the ongoing challenge of managing the plastic waste generated through offerings, plastic bags, and bottles. Bharavase, an NGO’s initiative addresses this issue by introducing sustainable alternatives. A key feature of the project is the establishment of a composting unit. Here, organic waste like flowers and leaves offered by devotees will be composted and used to enrich the temple gardens.

“Our goal is to create a circular system where waste is transformed into something beneficial. This approach helps the temple to not only reduce its waste but also create a greener, more environmentally friendlier space,” explains one of the team members involved in setting up the composting unit.

An essential part of the initiative is raising awareness among devotees about reducing plastic use. Bharavase volunteers have been actively engaging with the temple community by distributing informational pamphlets and holding awareness sessions. These efforts focus on explaining the harmful effects of plastic pollution and encouraging devotees to switch to more sustainable alternatives, such as using cloth bags and reusable water bottles.

“People are receptive when they understand the impact of their actions. This initiative is already showing positive results, and we hope it will inspire others to adopt similar practices,” said Sunil from Bharavase.

By providing the necessary space for the composting units and committing to phasing out single-use plastic items within the temple premises, the temple authorities have shown strong leadership in supporting this green transformation.

Sunil said, “We are fortunate to have the temple management’s full support in this effort. Together, we are demonstrating that even sacred spaces can lead the way in sustainability. We are inviting more people from the community to get involved in this movement.

Whether through volunteering, donating resources, or adopting eco-friendly habits in their daily lives, every small action helps. Our initiative proves that with collective effort, change is not only possible but impactful.”