Effective micro-organisms (EM) technology is a liquid mix of microbes developed in Japan, which promotes vigorous plant growth, producing better agricultural crops. It can also be used to manage organic waste, even sewerage and polluted water bodies, reducing smells and controlling rotting. He is promoting the use of EM in waste management across Tamil Nadu as well as in Auroville, where people use it in their houses as well as in farms. Although academics are still skeptical, those using EM are convinced. “In the end, a solid waste management facility depends on skillful management and very little technology and very simple infrastructure,” he says.