Pune: V Collect Initiative Turns Diwali Cleaning Into A Reuse Movement, 40 Tons Collected In Two Days
Pune: V Collect Initiative Turns Diwali Cleaning Into A Reuse Movement, 40 Tons Collected In Two Days
Pune, October 8, 2025: To integrate reuse into the tradition of cleaning and decluttering homes between Dussehra and Diwali, SWaCH Plus, in partnership with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), has organized ‘V Collect’ drives for reuse across the city until October 18. The ‘ SWaCH V Collect Diwali Declutter’ initiative began on October 4th. In the first two days, approximately 40 tons of reusable items were collected, including 23 tons of clothes, 1.8 tons of footwear, 2 tons of books, 1.9 tons of toys, along with utensils, decorative items, crockery, and furniture. Additionally, 2.4 tons of e-waste, such as old electronic items, smartphones, and laptops, were also collected.
By sending so many belongings for reuse in just two days, citizens have once again underscored their trust on SWaCH. Citizens have continued to strengthen the city’s culture of reuse this year as well. To ensure citizen convenience, these campaigns will continue until the 18th and will be held every Saturday and Sunday in easily accessible areas. On October 4 and 5, over 170 residential societies from various parts of Pune participated in the initiative. Furthermore, on October 11th and 12th, ‘V Collect’ campaigns are being organized in over 100 residential societies and at public spots like Nagras Road Aundh, Sahakar Sadan Prabhat Road, and Anand Niketan Badminton Hall Kothrud.
In these drives, citizens can donate items suitable for reuse such as clothes, footwear, utensils, toys, books, decorative pieces, and glass items. They can also contribute e-waste for authorised recycling.
Diverting old items from the trash and towards reuse is extremely important. The SWaCH V Collect initiative has been running for over 10 years with the objective of ensuring that items no longer useful to citizens—but still reusable—do not end up in the garbage but instead find a new home through reuse. The goal of this initiative is to foster a culture of reuse in Pune.
The collected items are properly sorted and made available to waste pickers or other needy individuals at a very low cost. The items are sold at minimal prices to ensure the value of reuse is preserved and the initiative remains self-sustaining. The remaining amount, after deducting administrative costs, is used for the educational needs of waste pickers’ children.
SWaCH is appealing to citizens to participate in the ‘V Collect Diwali Declutter’ campaigns, as the habit of reuse is vital for the city’s sustainable waste management and environmental health.
Information about the drives near you is available on the website: https://swachcoop.com/initiatives/v-collect/. More details can also be found on SWaCH’s WhatsApp groups for each area of Pune.
Citizens can contact the SWaCH helpline at 9765999500 to join the WhatsApp groups.
