A clean city is not just the result of advanced waste management systems but also of informed and responsible citizens. This is where Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities play a critical role. By spreading awareness, changing behaviors, and creating community ownership, IEC ensures that cleanliness becomes a collective mission rather than just a government initiative.
Indore, India’s cleanest city for seven consecutive years (2017–2023) in the Swachh Survekshan rankings, is the best example of how IEC can transform urban cleanliness. The city didn’t achieve this through infrastructure alone; it was the mindset shift among its 35 lakh residents that made the difference.
Indore, India’s cleanest city for seven consecutive years (2017–2023) in the Swachh Survekshan rankings, is the best example of how IEC can transform urban cleanliness. The city didn’t achieve this through infrastructure alone; it was the mindset shift among its 35 lakh residents that made the difference.
Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) deployed 5,000+ Swachhata workers and ensured 100% door-to-door waste collection from 8 lakh households. But what truly drove success was their investment in IEC. Campaigns like “Roko-Toko” encouraged citizens to stop others from littering, while creative initiatives like wall paintings, street plays, radio jingles, and school competitions made waste segregation a habit. Today, over 90% of households segregate waste at source.
The results are visible: Indore processes 1,900 metric tons of waste daily without open dumping, making it India’s first garbage-free city in 2021. The city also boasts 100% composting of wet waste, turning it into fertilizer, and recycling dry waste into useful products.
IEC didn’t just clean Indore—it built pride. Citizens feel ownership of their city’s cleanliness, ensuring sustainability.
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The Indore story shows that when IEC is prioritized, policies turn into people’s movements. If every city invests in continuous awareness, behavioral change campaigns, and citizen participation, replicating Indore’s model is not only possible but inevitable.
Clean cities are not built—they are nurtured by informed citizens.