Published Paper Details:

Floral waste generated from temples, religious activities, weddings, and social functions forms a considerable portion of biodegradable waste in India. Due to cultural and religious beliefs, flowers offered during rituals are often disposed of in rivers, ponds, or open areas rather than through organized waste management systems. Such practices contribute to environmental problems including water pollution, foul odour, soil contamination, and emission of greenhouse gases during decomposition. Although floral waste is biodegradable, its slow degradation rate and improper handling make it an environmental concern. At the same time, discarded flowers contain valuable natural components such as pigments, organic matter, and aromatic compounds, which remain largely underutilized.The present study focuses on the utilization of floral waste for the preparation of eco-friendly value-added products, supporting the concept of a circular economy. Floral waste was collected from nearby temples, manually segregated, and processed using simple, low-cost, and environmentally safe methods. Various products such as natural pigments, Holi colours, herbal lip balm, incense (dhoop), cloth tags, seeded paper, handmade paper, diary, and compost were prepared from discarded flowers. The prepared products were qualitatively evaluated based on colour, texture, fragrance, and usability. The findings indicate that floral waste can be effectively reused as a useful bio-resource instead of being treated as waste. This approach not only reduces environmental pollution but also promotes resource recovery, waste minimization, and sustainable waste management practices. The study highlights the potential of small-scale floral waste utilization as a practical step towards circular economy and environmental sustainability.