Graphic Reflections

This graphic attempts to illustrate the life span of a littered PET bottle, as inspired by the shape of the bottle itself. With a substantial time spent in production, shipping and shelf display, its usage time is usually the shortest, often just a few minutes and if not disposed properly (like this one which I found in the midst of vegetation at Central Park, Jaipur), it can lie for months, sometimes years and decades, as nothing but waste…

One significant difference between developed and developing countries lies in the way they manage their garbage (I am specifically referring to municipal solid waste here). Several developed countries have strict rules and proceedures in place regarding garbage disposal and violators are fined heavily. Proper management of grabage is a strong indicator of a responsible and developed society. To become a developed country in that sense, India has a long way to go. Today, in India, there is an urgent need of strict garbage disposal rules, proceedures and related education. (Bottom right photograph: garbage collection in Sweden. Photographer: Niklas Johnsson, curtesy Stock Xchng. Top left photograph: garbage collection bin outside a South Delhi neighbourhood.)

Based on a famous poster by Pentagram for the Napoli ’99 Foundation, this typographical graphic tries to portray India as a modern, forward looking and varied country, but one whose physical appearance is often overshadowed by the omnipresence of litter and garbage, never allowing the country to ‘shine’.

Based on the Do Not Litter symbol often found on food packaging, this graphic attempts to portray the ‘wastebin-like’ treatment given to India by a majority of its citizens (educated or uneducated), as if the country is a large trash-bin. People littler almost anywhere or everywhere in India; their littering habit perhaps also reflects their lack of interest in the upkeep of their own country….

Some people have expressed their dissatisfaction about this graphic so it must be mentioned that the graphic is about the ‘act’ or ‘ignorance’ of treating India like a wastebin.  Free of litter, with its unparalleled diversity, India could be one of the most beautiful (if not the most beautiful) countries in the world.