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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 03 | Mar 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Sustainable Waste Recycling System for Temple Complex: A Design Proposal for Ambadevi Temple, Amravati

Krushna Vasant Jaiswal1 , Prof. Snehal Vidhale2

1 Bachelor of Architecture Student, P.R.P.C.O.A., Amravati, Maharashtra, India

2Professor, Department of Architecture, P.R.P.C.O.A., Amravati, Maharashtra, India

Abstract - Religious institutions in India serve as major cultural and social centres, attracting thousands of visitors daily. Activities such as offering flowers, distributing prasad, and community cooking generate significant quantities of solid waste. A large portion of this waste is biodegradable, including flowers, coconuts, and food residues, while the remaining consists of plastic and paper waste. Improper disposal of such waste leads to environmental degradation and sanitation issues.

This study examines the potential for implementing a sustainable waste recycling system within the Ambadevi TemplecomplexinAmravati. Casestudiesofsuccessfulwaste management practices in major pilgrimage centers are analysedtounderstandeffectivestrategiesandbestpractices. Based on estimated waste generation and existing site conditions, a conceptual model is proposed that integrates waste segregation, composting, biogas generation, and dry waste management.

The research highlights that the integration of decentralized waste management systems into temple infrastructure can significantly reduce landfill waste, improve sanitation, and encourage sustainable practices within religious environments.

Key Words: Temple waste management, Sustainable infrastructure, Composting, Biogas, Pilgrimage architecture, Recycling systems

1. INTRODUCTION

TemplesinIndiaareamongthemostactivepublicspaces, accommodating large numbers of devotees daily. These activitiesgeneratesubstantialwaste,primarilyfromritual offerings and food distribution. Organic waste such as flowers,leaves,coconuts,andfoodresiduesformsamajor component, while plastic packaging and paper waste contributetonon-biodegradablewaste.

With increasing visitor footfall, traditional waste disposal methodsarebecominginadequate.Accumulatedwasteleads to hygiene issues, unpleasant surroundings, and environmental damage.Therefore,integratingsustainable wastemanagementsystemsintotempleinfrastructurehas becomeessential.

This study focuses on the Ambadevi Temple in Amravati, aimingtodevelopasustainableandsite-responsivewaste recyclingsystem.

2. Literature Review

Previous studies indicate that temple waste is predominantly biodegradableandsuitable for sustainable processingmethods.

 Composting convertsorganicwasteintonutrientrichfertilizerusedinlandscaping.

 Biogas generation uses anaerobic digestion to produce methane from food waste, which can be usedasenergy.

 Recycling systems handleplasticandpaperwaste efficiently.

Casestudiesshowsuccessfulimplementation:

 Large temples have adopted segregation + composting systems

 Flowerwasteisconvertedintoincenseproducts

 Foodwasteisprocessedintobiogas

These approaches highlight the feasibility of integrating waste recycling systems within temple environments withoutaffectingreligiousactivities.

3. Methodology

Thestudyfollowsacombinedqualitativeandquantitative approach.

3.1 Site Study

The Ambadevi Temple experiences continuous footfall throughout the year, with peak numbers during festivals. Waste generation is directly linked to visitor volume and ritualactivities.

3.2 Waste Generation Estimation

Toestimatewastegeneration:

 Average daily visitors (normal days): 10,000–15,000

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

 Peakdays:20,000+ Assumption:

 Wastegeneratedperperson≈0.25kg

Estimatedtotalwaste:

 Normal days: 10,000×0.25=2.5tons/day

 Peak days: 20,000×0.25=5tons/day

3.3 Waste Composition Analysis

Nearly65%isbiodegradable

3.4 Design Approach

Adecentralizedwasterecyclingsystemisproposedwiththe followingcomponents:

 Wastesegregationzone

 Compostingunit

 Biogasplant

 Drywastestorage

 Serviceaccessandmaintenancearea

Thesystemislocatedina servicezone,ensuringseparation fromsacredareas.

4. Proposed System and Innovation

4.1 Integrated Waste Management Model

Theproposedsystemfollowsaclosed-loopapproach:

1. Wastecollectionfromtempleareas

2. Segregationintowetanddrywaste

3. Processing:

o Organic→Composting+Biogas

o Drywaste→Recyclingstorage

The proposed waste management processis illustrated in Fig.1.

Fig -1:IntegratedTempleWasteManagementand RecyclingProcess

4.2 Key Innovations

 Temple-specific waste zoning integrated into architecturalplanning

 Decentralizedrecyclingunitwithincampus

 Combinationofcomposting+biogassystem

 Useofcompostintemplelandscapeareas

 Energygenerationforkitchenuse(biogas)

4.3 Area Requirement

 Totalrequiredarea:200–250sq.m

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 13 Issue: 03 | Mar 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Includes:

 Compostpits

 Biogasplant

 Sortingplatform

 Storagespace

5. Results and Analysis

Theproposedsystemcan:

 Reducelandfillwasteby60–70%

 Improvesanitationwithintemplepremises

 Convertwasteintousefulresources:

o Compostforlandscaping

o Biogasforcooking

Italsoensures:

 Betterwastehandlingduringpeakevents

 Reducedenvironmentalimpact

 Improvedvisitorexperience

6. Conclusion

Wastegenerationintemplecomplexesisunavoidabledueto religious practices and high visitor numbers. However, impropermanagementleadstoenvironmentalandhygiene issues.

This study demonstrates that sustainable waste recycling systems can be effectively integrated into temple infrastructure.Byadoptingsegregation,composting,biogas generation, and recycling, temple complexes can become self-sustainingandenvironmentallyresponsible.

The proposed model for Ambadevi Temple serves as a replicableframeworkforotherpilgrimagesitesinIndia.

REFERENCES

[1] CentralPollutionControlBoard.(2021). MunicipalSolid Waste Management Guidelines.GovernmentofIndia.

[2] Government of India. (2022). Sustainable Waste Management Practices in Pilgrimage Centers R. Nicole, “Titleofpaperwithonlyfirstwordcapitalized,”J.Name Stand.Abbrev.,inpress.

[3] Sharma, R. (2020). Environmental sustainability in religious tourism. Journal of Sustainable Development, 12(3),45–52.

[4] Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. (2023). Waste Management Initiatives in Temple Towns

[5] Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan Trust. (2022). Sustainable Waste Recycling Practices.

[6] Gupta,S.,&Arora,M.(2019).Solidwastemanagement in pilgrimage centers: A case study approach. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology,16(5),2345–2356.

[7] Kumar,A.,&Agrawal,R.(2021).Decentralizedorganic waste management using composting and biogas technology. JournalofCleanerProduction,278,123456.