New Delhi: As we progress and succeed, the environment is being left behind. The Earth provided humans with open skies to live under, but in our pursuit of advancement, we have choked the very planet that sustains us. If there’s no environment, what good is our success? We can write about this because someone has done something truly inspiring. Can you imagine building a house out of discarded plastic bottles? If we can find ways to properly utilize plastic bottles, we could significantly protect the environment.
From Vacationing to Conservation
Deepti Sharma and her husband Abhishek Sharma, residents of Uttar Pradesh, frequently visited Uttarakhand for vacations. They found the mountainous environment very enjoyable, but they noticed that while everyone talked about greenery and the environment, no one really wanted to save it.
Plastic: The Greatest Environmental Enemy
Did you know that plastic, which has been in trade for about 7-9 decades, is the biggest enemy of the environment? According to a report, since the 1950s, we have produced more than 8.5 billion tons of plastic. Currently, around 60 percent of plastic ends up in landfills. Its use has increased so much that microplastics are likely found in our food as well.
Turning Waste into a Sustainable Homestay
By recycling plastic, Deepti and Abhishek Sharma did something remarkable and sent a powerful message. They built a homestay in Hartola village of Nainital district using plastic bottles. They used a total of 26,000 plastic bottles to construct this homestay. The bottles were patched together and joined to form walls. To harden the walls, about 100 plastic bottles were tied together and covered with mesh wire. These walls also help control the temperature. In the four-room homestay, Deepti and Abhishek used old tires for flooring. The lamps in the rooms were made from whisky bottles.
A Passion for Mountain Conservation
Deepti Sharma, a teacher, shares that she always had a passion for exploring the mountains. They used to go on treks and would feel disheartened seeing the litter. People use plastic and throw it away. They believe that people should either recycle plastic in the mountains, which is why they started this project. Recycling plastic also saved them money. Deepti and Abhishek built the house to encourage people to avoid using plastic. They believe plastic can be used for houses, small shops, and even toilets in the mountains.
How It Started
Abhishek Sharma explains that it all started in 2016. During a trip to Lansdowne in 2016, they decided they wanted to build a home not in Noida or Ghaziabad, but in the mountains. They began planning the project and bought land in 2017. They started building the house in February 2017, and it took about a year and a half to complete the entire place. They continuously make changes to their homestay. Their next goal is to raise awareness about water conservation. They are developing a 10,000-liter rain harvesting model for this purpose. The couple visits their homestay once every 3-4 months. They offer discounts to guests who collect plastic, helping to further their mission.
