Odisha's Nandankanan Zoo wins praise for simple plastic management rules

A post shared on X by Manas Muduli has gone viral, drawing attention to the eco-conscious practices at Odisha's Nandankanan Zoological Park. The post, which has garnered over 110k views, outlines how the zoo is tackling plastic waste with practical, easy-to-follow measures.

Highlighting what he called “one of the best things” about the zoo located in Bhubaneshwar, Muduli wrote, “Carrying a plastic water bottle? You pay a refundable Rs 50 deposit & get it back after returning the empty bottle.” The idea is simple. Visitors are encouraged to take responsibility for their plastic by ensuring it leaves with them.

He further noted another rule aimed at reducing waste: “Packaged food in plastic? It must be transferred into a paper bag before entry.” This step ensures that single-use plastic does not enter the premises in the first place.

The images accompanying the post offer a clearer look at how the system works on the ground. Plastic bottles are tagged at the entry point, allowing staff to track them efficiently. Once returned, they are collected and sent for recycling, ensuring they don’t end up littering the zoo’s green spaces.

See the post here:

Summing up the impact of these measures, the post reads, “Simple rules, big impact. A great example of how small steps can keep our environment clean.” This sentiment has resonated widely with users, many of whom praised the initiative for being both practical and effective.

Do you think other public spaces should also adopt this practise?