IISc opinion to be taken on kitchen pulverisers

The BBMP is reconsidering its controversial plan to make kitchen pulverisers (food waste crushers) mandatory in every household.  

Mayor R Sampath Raj had come up with the proposal to tackle the city's garbage problem. But residents and experts opposed it, saying Bengaluru's sewers are just not equipped to handle the load.

Kitchen pulverisers are electrical food waste disposers that can be attached to the kitchen sink and their blades will grind the garbage into liquid, which will be drained into the sewer.

Solid waste management (SWM) experts believe the process will require lots of water, something that will be difficult in a city facing water shortage. "The process of pulverising food requires a lot of water. At least 10-21 litres of water is required to push the food waste from the source and some more to force it down the drain. The process may cause sewers to overflow," an expert said.

An online petition entitled #KitchenPulveriserBeda was recently launched by Bangalore Eco Team against the mandatory installation of food waste crushers. The petition, which warns the move will lead to  bigger disasters such as clogged drains and water wastage,  has received over 2,000 signatures.  

The civic body recently held a meeting with citizen groups. A BBMP official said they would get an expert opinion on installing kitchen pulverisers.

Speaking to DH, the mayor said the proposal would be sent to the IISc for an opinion and a decision would be taken based on its report.