Navi Mumbai is set to make history with the creation of India’s first Waste-to-Art Lab at CBD Belapur, under the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) solid waste management initiative. The Upcycling Art Training Centre will process around 200 tonnes of dry waste each month, transforming discarded materials into artistic sculptures that will beautify public spaces across the city. “Navi Mumbai has always been a pioneer in solid waste management and innovative recycling,” said Dr Kailas Shinde, NMMC Commissioner. “This lab will not only help manage waste efficiently but also foster creativity and environmental awareness.” Located beneath the Sector 21 flyover in CBD Belapur, the facility is part of the city’s ongoing innovation and sustainability drive. “The corporation will provide the required infrastructure, while the contractor will install baling machines and other equipment for processing,” explained Dr Ajay Gadade, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management Department. He added that the sculptures created from recycled waste will be displayed in parks, public squares, and city landmarks. The NMMC will also organise workshops, awareness sessions, and lectures for schools, colleges, residential societies, and corporate organisations to promote citizen participation in waste management. Officials said the waste used at the facility will be purchased directly from sanitation workers and waste pickers, ensuring both sustainable processing and income support for those involved in the city’s waste ecosystem. Navi Mumbai has previously implemented several innovative recycling projects, including composting biodegradable waste, producing industrial fuel pellets from plastic, creating coir ropes and cocopeat from coconut husks, and manufacturing paver blocks from construction debris. The city also hosts India’s first old clothes recycling project. The Waste-to-Art Lab is expected to further enhance Navi Mumbai’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and creative waste management, blending environmental responsibility with urban aesthetics.