Daily Dump

Daily Dump has pioneered innovative design solutions in the field of waste management. It introduced India's first home composter and developed three distinct ranges of composters along with a variety of accessories. Utilizing design thinking, Daily Dump's founder, with a background in design, aimed to demystify the complex issues of waste and climate change, making them accessible to the general public. Its design approach focuses on making waste management easy, inspiring, and enjoyable for citizens. This approach extends to products, services, and communication strategies that promote informed action and participation in resource management. Daily Dump's cost-effective systems reduce waste at its source and divert it from landfills, benefiting both the environment and the informal sector. The organisation's design philosophy centres on fostering behavioural change through simple daily actions, ultimately contributing to a significant collective impact.

Daily Dump's commitment to replicability is evident in the numerous lookalikes and adaptations of its products, with over 40 documented to date. These replicable designs have been embraced not only by the Government but also by entrepreneurs and NGOs, often without formal recognition. The organisation's approach is intentionally inclusive, inviting others to adopt and adapt its designs. Daily Dump actively encourages collaboration and welcomes those interested in replicating its initiatives in different regions to reach out for cooperation. Its emphasis on clear, non-technical communication has played a pivotal role in establishing the home composting market in their country and inspiring others to venture into sustainability-related businesses, exemplifying the power of effective design in action.

Daily Dump advocates for open-source collaboration, sharing its terracotta designs with a diverse group of 12 entrepreneurs and over 20 individuals worldwide. It also offers certain products and communication materials as free downloads on its website. Recognizing the importance of collective action in preserving natural resources, Daily Dump embraces an open-source ethos. Its signature terracotta range is made open-source with a Creative Commons License, encouraging replication and fostering a culture of Copy4Good. Its website provides accessible and engaging resources, including presentations, posters, and films, aimed at making information about sustainable practices easy to understand. Daily Dump's objective is to catalyze the adoption of new practices and create the conditions for the emergence of a fresh market in this field.

Daily Dump has returned over 431 tonnes of compost to the soil since 2012, effectively addressing the substantial organic waste generated in Indian cities, primarily by households. Its composters enable families to produce around 100 kgs of nutrient-rich compost annually, and communities of 25 homes collectively contribute about 3000 kgs each year. Encouraging the separation of dry waste from vegetable peels also facilitates material recycling. By reintroducing mature compost into the soil, both in urban areas and peri-urban farms, it creates "Citizen Compost." This practice aids in carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas effects and supporting a circular economy that rejuvenates soil, actively contributing to climate change mitigation.

Daily Dump has made a significant impact on carbon savings, with over 22,379 tonnes of CO2e saved since 2006 by diverting kitchen waste from landfills. Additionally, it has sequestered 216 tons of carbon in soil through compost application. Its approach not only benefits the environment but also reconnects people with the natural cycle. Many customers, inspired by composting, begin gardening, and the compost enriches their soil. Composting and applying compost enhance soil quality and contribute positively to carbon sequestration. This organic matter builds up soil organic carbon, improving water retention, reducing synthetic fertilizer and pesticide use, and curbing nitrous oxide emissions—a potent greenhouse gas. Daily Dump's work extends to collaborating with farm owners and groups to regenerate soil through compost application.