Pune's Garbage Woes Spark Creative Solution: Amanora’s WhatsApp Garage Sale Trend

As Pune grapples with a growing garbage crisis, residents of Amanora Park Town have found an innovative solution: a WhatsApp-based garbage sale group that promotes reuse and reduces waste.

Lakshmi Nilakantan, a resident of Amanora Park, said, "This was first started by one of our innovative residents in 2021. The idea of the group was to promote - reduce, reuse and recycle. A variety of items like appliances, furniture, bicycles, kids’ toys, skates, scooters, apparel, skateboards, hoverboards, books, textbooks, planters, puja mandir, drying racks, kitchen trolleys, kitchenware, curtains, bedsheets, mattresses, gadgets, plants, two-wheelers, four-wheelers, etc., get sold and reused. We have auction shops where people can sell/buy antiques, paintings and furniture. However, people seldom opt for it due to time constraints and transportation issues. Using WhatsApp, one can make garage sales possible in India, benefiting the buyer, seller and promoting sustainable practices. This is a new outlook that can be incorporated in all cities among apartment dwellers and gated communities."

Jyotsana Ukey, another resident of Amanora, said, "I've been part of this group for the past two years, and this is amazing. It's quite useful for people who move to the city, and they can buy things and sell them back when they leave the city. This helps many, from the rich to the needy, by saving time, money and resources. Our societies need to make a move towards a circular economy and abandon the linear economy. Compared to other pre-owned websites like OLX, it's safer and risk-free, as it's mostly within our gated community. I'm so satisfied with this initiative that I recommend other societies to start this, and even now, some of my friends who are from other parts of the city, like Kothrud, ask me to keep them posted if I get certain products displayed in the group for sale. So, people outside our community are also becoming a part of this."

Shambhavi Nandkumar, another resident, said, "It has helped me very much. It's an easy way to give your pre-loved items a second life while decluttering your home. I have mostly used it for books. My kids are avid readers, and Pune—especially the area that we live in—doesn't have a lot of libraries or options to buy used books. I was able to buy books from the group for my kids and also sell them after they are done with them, rather than accumulate them in the house. I have also had opportunities to give away lots of kids’ items and academic books after use. Not only did it help create more space, but it also offered a convenient way to sell items quickly to a circle all located closely."

Anamika Singh, a resident of Amanora Park Town, said, "This group is a commendable initiative that, under the guidance of thoughtful administrators and well-defined rules, has evolved into an incredibly effective platform for the exchange of pre-loved items within our society. It has significantly promoted the principles of reuse and decluttering, thereby contributing meaningfully to environmental sustainability. Personally, I have derived immense value from this group, having both received and generously given away several items that no longer served me but proved to be of great utility to others."

Rajeev Sidana, another resident of Amanora Park Town, said, "I got looped into this community three years back through a WhatsApp group. Initially, I was sceptical about it, but there came a time when I wanted to declutter a few things, and I posted pictures, and I was amazed that it actually worked. This initiative is now spreading across lines and borders and is an absolutely great forum, especially for those who are moving houses in between and no longer need certain things. In such cases, you can sell them easily. There are certain things you can’t simply give as charity or as rewards without clarity. So, this helps you declutter quickly. People can use what you no longer need. It’s best for temporary use things like school bags, books, clothes and toys. It reduces the burden on the environment and benefits more people. Why should I pay extra when I can get good-conditioned items for free or at low cost? I would encourage other communities to follow this. Also, this is very effective because the admins are prompt to remind the members if anybody tries to spam the group by sending more pictures or posting other promotional content. This vigilance and prompt action help members to abide by the rules, making it effective and efficient."