BMC to recycle offered flowers, puja items into incense sticks; drive begins from Ganesh Puja

In a unique eco-friendly initiative, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to produce incense sticks from flowers offered at puja pandals during the festive season. The drive will officially begin from Ganesh Puja this year, the civic body informed.

As per the plan, dedicated BMC vehicles will collect used flowers, fruits, incense, diyas, and other ritual items from various mandaps across the city. Three vehicles will be deployed across three different zones to ensure systematic collection.

The gathered items will then be processed, with the flowers being recycled into fragrant incense sticks. A special unit for incense production is being established at Palasuni and is expected to become operational soon.

Speaking about the initiative, BMC Additional Commissioner Kailash Chandra Das said the project aims to reduce temple waste while promoting sustainable practices. 

“We have adopted this unique step to collect offered flowers and other items from puja pandals. Three dedicated vehicles will be deployed to collect the items. These will be recycled as incense sticks at Palasuni. We are on a mission for plastic-free puja,” said Kailash Chandra Das, Additional Commissioner, BMC.

The incense sticks made from temple flowers will later be introduced in the local market, giving citizens an opportunity to be part of this eco-friendly initiative.