In an effort to find a solution to the waste menace in rural areas, the Zilla Panchayat has started promoting pipe composting in the rural areas.
The pipe compost method will ensure the disposal of bio-degradable waste at the place where it is generated. The residents can put their bio-degradable waste – including leftover rice – into the pipe installed for the purpose, along with soil to cover the layer.
The residents have to dig three pits of one-and-a-half feet depth each – into one of which, the pipe should be inserted vertically. Initially, a solution of cow-dung and one-kg jaggery should be poured into the pipe, before putting bio-degradable waste such as vegetable waste, fish waste, and leftover food items into the pipe on a daily basis. The solution of cow-dung and jaggery helps in expediting the bacterial decomposition process. The pipe is to be filled with the waste in a month, and should be kept undisturbed for another 45 days.
In the mean time, the household wastes can be filled into the second pipe. By the time the second pipe is filled, the first one can be taken out to clear the decomposed waste – which is an excellent manure – and third pipe can be used for filling the waste. As a result, manure can be generated throughout the year.Dry waste, however, is not generated daily at home. It can be disposed of once a week or once in 15 days.
The pipe compost system is already popular in Kerala and is being implemented in Dakshina Kannada district as well.
Clearing wasteUdupi Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Priyanka Mary Francis, who hails from Kerala, has already installed pipe composting method in her residence in Udupi and has been preparing manure.
“Waste disposal is a major challenge in urban areas, including Bengaluru. Without proper waste collection system in rural areas, the waste gets dumped beside the roads and vacant places. First, we should keep aside the notion that the garbage should be disposed effectively by the local bodies. We should try to get profit from the garbage generated at home. The demonstration on pipe composting has already been taken up at various gram panchayats in the district. Even the schools are being motivated through demonstration,” said the official.
She said there is a good response from the public wherever the demonstrations are conducted.
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