In a bustling city like Hyderabad, vegetable markets can feel overwhelming—piles of discarded produce, overflowing bins, and that strong, unmistakable smell hanging in the air. But at the Bowenpally market, officially called the Dr B.R. Ambedkar vegetable market, it’s a different story. It is turning waste into a valuable resource and creating a sustainable model that helps both local vendors and the environment.
Bowenpally Market Is Turning Waste Into Power
Every day, Bowenpally Market produces tonnes of organic waste. In the past, this waste would have gone to landfills and contributed to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. But now, with innovation and sustainability, the market operates a biogas plant that transforms this waste into about 500 units of electricity and 30 kilogrammes of biofuel every day.
The electricity powers over a hundred streetlights, shops, cold storage facilities, as well as the market’s water supply system. Meanwhile, biofuel is used in the canteen kitchen, thus replacing LPG cylinders.
The process begins with waste collection, followed by shredding and soaking in a “Feed Preparation Tank,” where it is transformed into slurry. The slurry undergoes bio-methanation, a process facilitated by a patented technology developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT). The resulting biogas is stored in tanks and used for cooking and electricity generation.
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Beyond Sustainability
This initiative goes beyond energy generation. The Bowenpally Market’s biogas plant helps prevent approximately thousands of kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually, making it an environmental game-changer. Additionally, the project has created job opportunities for local women, who are involved in waste collection and plant operations. This dual benefit of environmental conservation and economic empowerment highlights the broader social impact of the project.
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The Bowenpally Market’s journey showcases how traditional vegetable markets can adopt cutting-edge technology to address modern challenges, creating a cleaner and more sustainable future for all. Comment your thoughts on how this can inspire other markets to go green.
Feature Image Courtesy: Canva and pib.gov.in