Solid waste is a challenge of all places, be urban or rural. In recent years, discussion and action on proper collection, handling and disposal of waste generated has increased. The attention has been still less on waste management systems in small towns or peri-urban settlements.

Seva Mandir in partnership with InterGlobe Foundation and Gram Panchayat has piloted an initiative to make a part of Kelwara town in Rajsamand district as a No Open Waste (NOW) zone. The intervention has taught us useful insights for small towns, on behavioural change and multi-stakeholder involvement in solid waste management system. With an aim to contribute to building the knowledge on managing waste in towns, in collaboration with InterGlobe Foundation and Zila Parishad Rajsamand, we organized a seminar on Community Based Solid Waste Management.
The discussions were centre around understanding the journeys and experiences from various interventions on community's role, use of technology, and mechanisms of sustainability. The seminar had participation from the government, civil society and researchers.
Inaugurating the seminar, Additional Chief Executive Officer - Zilla Parishad Rajsamand, Dr. Dinesh Rai said "Seva Mandir has given this platform in which NGOs and government departments are able to form a common understanding on waste management. I hope we are able to learn from each other"

Priyanka Singh, Head, Inter Globe Foundation, Gurgaon said, "The need of the hour is that the government, voluntary organizations and CSR come together to form a model on waste management and share their learnings. I believe Kelwara could be a role model for waste management for small towns "