Representative image. Source Freepik

Under India's Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, a healthcare facility has been developed as a model for sustainable sanitation and waste management, according to a Press Information Bureau release.

The initiative has been implemented at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, where a “Clean Campus, Zero Waste” approach has been adopted. The framework seeks to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene while reducing environmental impact within a healthcare setting.

The model addresses the management of different waste streams generated within the institution, including biomedical and general waste. It outlines a structured system including segregation at source, collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal, in accordance with prescribed regulatory norms.

Efforts have been made to minimise the quantity of waste being sent to landfills by ensuring that recyclable and processable materials are appropriately handled within the system. The initiative integrates multiple stages of waste handling into a streamlined process to improve overall efficiency.

Smart sanitation practices form a key part of the model. These include the use of monitoring mechanisms, improved operational processes, and dedicated infrastructure to ensure that biomedical and non-biomedical waste streams are managed separately and safely.

The initiative also includes training and awareness programmes for staff and other stakeholders within the institution. These programmes focus on encouraging adherence to sanitation protocols and strengthening segregation practices at the source of waste generation.

Aligned with the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0, the model is intended to serve as a replicable framework for other healthcare institutions. It demonstrates how structured planning, infrastructure deployment, and stakeholder participation can be applied to improve sanitation outcomes in institutional environments.

According to the release, the initiative highlights the potential for healthcare campuses to move towards zero-waste systems through coordinated efforts across waste management processes and operational practices.