Dharavi, one of Mumbai's largest slums, plays a crucial role in the city's waste management by recycling over 600 tons of garbage daily — more than half of Mumbai's total waste. Workers like Mohammad sort and sell recyclable materials, significantly reducing the city's trash. However, they often work without proper safety measures. Despite the risks, this informal recycling system is vital for both livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

Globally, the urgency to reuse and recycle is growing as natural resources are being depleted faster each year. This is marked by Earth Overshoot Day — the date when humanity exceeds the planet's annual ecological budget. In 2025, this day arrived over a week earlier than in 2024, partly due to oceans absorbing less CO2.

High-income countries like the United States contribute most to this overshoot, while countries like India remain within sustainable limits. The economic consequences of overshooting include rising resource costs and weakened ecosystems. Experts have stressed the need to shift to renewable systems, reduce food waste, eat less meat and embrace practices like recycling to delay Earth Overshoot Day and preserve the planet's resources.

(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)