Mithra Sri Bandi

Hi, I’m Mithra Sri Bandi

Student Researcher | Sustainability & Sanitation Innovator

Developing practical, scalable, and cost-effective interdisciplinary solutions for a sustainable world.

Poor Sanitation in Public Toilets

Public Health • Dignity • Transparency • Accountability

Extremely unhygienic and poorly maintained public urinal.

Excessive use of chemicals in openly urinated areas and filthy conditions

Poor sanitation in public toilets remains a significant public health concern in many communities. While initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission have greatly improved sanitation infrastructure and reduced open defecation, challenges related to maintenance, hygiene, and sustainable management still persist. Issues such as unpleasant odors, microbial contamination, inefficient water usage, and irregular upkeep affect not only public health but also human dignity.

In many cases, the absence of supervision, transparency, and accountability in maintenance systems results in the rapid deterioration of facilities, leaving them unused or eventually abandoned.

Click here to view the research paper - https://sites.google.com/view/mithrasri/research-projects

Urine flows out of the public toilet into the surrounding area, causing a very foul smell

Poor maintenance resulting in blocked urinals and open urination in surrounding areas

Neglected and abandoned public toilets reflecting a lack of proper supervision and maintenance

Neglected and abandoned public toilets - Wastage of public money

Open Waste Burning and Improper Disposal:

A Public Health and Climate Concern

Open waste burning observed along the national highway area.

Open waste burning observed in residential area

Seeing garbage burned in the open deeply troubles me. It is painful to watch such a preventable act contribute to air, water, and soil pollution, along with the release of hazardous gases into the environment.

In addition, the careless disposal of garbage in various locations often turns these areas into informal dumping points, creating unsightly surroundings and increasing the risk of disease transmission through pests, contamination, and unhygienic conditions.

I have observed many instances in everyday life where waste is burned or discarded carelessly, without concern for the serious consequences it poses to public health, the climate, and community well-being.

This reality motivates me to work toward sustainable and responsible waste management solutions.

Click here to view the research paper - https://sites.google.com/view/mithrasri/research-projects

Open waste burning observed in residential area - release of toxic gases

Open waste burning observed in the vicinity of the Panchayat Waste Management Shed

Open waste burning observed in residential area

Open waste burning observed beside the apartments, where tenants throw garbage in an open area

Garbage is being burned near the waterbody

Open waste burning observed in residential area

Witnessing the poor conditions in public toilets has motivated me to explore innovative, technology-driven solutions that promote hygiene, sustainability, transparency, and long-term accountability in public sanitation systems.

At the same time, I have observed that open waste burning continues despite the availability of technologies that can convert waste into energy in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner. The real challenge lies not only in technological availability but also in improving garbage collection systems, strengthening waste management practices, and ensuring strict supervision of areas where waste is carelessly dumped and burned.

Addressing these gaps through smart monitoring, responsible governance, and sustainable innovation is essential to creating cleaner, healthier, and more accountable communities.

India, as the most populous country in the world, experiences the cumulative impact of even the smallest actions at the household level. A minor amount of waste generated by each household can collectively create a massive environmental burden. Conversely, even small improvements in waste management and sanitation practices can lead to transformative change at a national scale. Over the past decade, India has demonstrated remarkable technological progress — from indigenous semiconductor initiatives to landmark space missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and the Mars Orbiter Mission. Just as we invest in advancing science and space exploration, equal attention must be directed toward strengthening sanitation systems and sustainable waste management to build a truly progressive and environmentally responsible nation.

My Vision:

My sincere wish is to contribute to this transformation by developing practical, scalable, and cost-effective solutions through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates technology and environmental science to significantly improve and modernize public sanitation and waste management systems, thereby contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable world.

-- Mithra Sri