Decade after they were removed, dustbins reappear in City

Dustbins are back in the City. Not just the colourful wet and dry waste ones but even the big concrete bins which were found in every road corner over a decade ago.

This trend has resurfaced due to the failure of the door-to-door system of garbage collection, especially in commercial areas. Interestingly, while these dustbins are being set up by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) itself, waste management experts assert that this is not a good move.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, BBMP Commissioner N Lakshminarayana, said, “We have found that the door-to-door system of garbage collection has not been successful in slums and commercial areas mainly because collection timings do not match. Also, in Chickpet and Avenue Road, waste is generated continously.”

He added that the Palike is setting up dustbins only in areas where there is a tendency for a lot of waste to accumulate. Presently, wet and dry waste bins have been installed in prime City commercial spaces and near slums. They have only been set up sparingly,he further said.

The aim is not to bring back this trend, he assured, adding that they have just been introduced to reduce black spots where ever needed. In some cases people have also set them up and BBMP will examine such cases.

Experts warn that this should not become a permanent solution. Solid Waste Management Round Table member Dr Meenakshi Bharat said, “It seems like BBMP is initiating a temporary solution to their problem. Emphasis should be on long-term solutions such as door-to-door collection of segregated garbage. It looks like we are going back in time.”

She added that waste management is not a difficult task and opined that the BBMP would succeed if citizens and pourakarmikas actively participate. On the other hand, by disposing garbage on roads, black spots are being created, she added.

Samuel Paul, founder-chairman of Public Affairs Centre, said, “BBMP should keep a check on how much waste is collected door-to-door and how much is disposed off. Erecting dustbins is not a fit solution as solid waste management is BBMP’s responsibility. Lack of proper management is leading to such problems.”

Reacting to this, former BBMP Commissioner K Jairaj, who initiated the drive of removing dustbins from City roads in 2000, said, “I feel bad. The idea behind removing dustbins was to bring in discipline among householders in garbage disposal. The bins were removed because they were overflowing.”

Back then it was introduced in 100 wards. Now the number of wards have multiplied, population density has increased and so there is more garbage. But BBMP should ensure proper door-to-door collection because garbage is a menace to society and affects public health, he added.