Forgotten waste segregation

Guidelines on segregating waste at source into different categories are being openly flouted

Despite strict guidelines issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on waste segregation and collection, the unscientific dumping of garbage continues unabated across Bengaluru.

On September 15, 2012, during the tenure of former BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel, the civic agency had issued the guidelines. These were clear about how waste should be categorised as wet waste, dry waste, garden waste, rubbish, sanitary waste and household waste.

The Palike had threatened to penalise those throwing garbage on streets, vacant sites and public spaces. It was also made clear that wet waste mixed with other waste will not be taken by pourakarmikas from households. However, the guidelines, issued two years back, has gone down the drain literally. Segregation has stopped and the Palike too has failed to take strict action against erring individuals.

BBMP Solid Waste Management (SWM) Expert Committee member, N S Ramakanth admits that the waste segregation rules have gathered dust and are not effective. He blames the ineptitude and BBMP’s lack of seriousness for it.

Ramakanth says, “We have been conducting awareness campaigns on waste segregation among public at parks, residential localities and streets. Yet people hand over mixed waste.” But he adds that the Palike officials including Zonal Commissioners are responsible for not taking any action on violations. Currently, more than 80 per cent of the waste going to landfills such as Lakshmipura, Bingipura, Terra Firma are mixed waste. 

The BBMP, informs an official, has now introduced a new clause in the garbage contract system wherein contractors are told to collect only segregated waste. The tenders have been floated recently.

Prof T V Ramachandra from Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, points out the Palike itself has been violating the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules,  2000. The rules clearly state that no organic components should go to landfill sites and it should be treated.

Seventy-five per cent waste being dumped now is organic and biodegradable. Six months back, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board ( KSPCB) had booked a criminal case against former BBMP commissioner for violating  rules. In the light of rising black spots, garbage piles and methane being released from Lakshmipura village, off Bannerghatta Road in Anekal, KSPCB has proposed to file another complaint against BBMP, says a KSPCB official.

Residents complain that BBMP is not regular in collecting, clearing waste from the streets and vacant sites. Under the Hebbal flyover, garbage is rampantly dumped and even burnt. There are similar black spots in Bhoopasandra, Double Road in Shantinagar, Seshadripuram Post Office area, Mysore Road and Kalasipalya.

President, Citizen Forum Yelahanka New Town, Dr T V Muniyappa contends that residents do segregate garbage, although there are a few who still hand over mixed waste. Sujatha A, a HBR Layout resident says, “Motorists and citizens throw garbage while passing by vacant sites. Even the Palike has been ignorant about it and not slapping fine as per the guidelines issued earlier."

What is BBMP doing?
According to BBMP Special Commissioner for Solid Waste Management, Darpan Jain, the City generates around 3,500 - 4,000 metric tonnes of garbage everyday. There are six garbage composting units in Lingadheeranahalli, Doddabidarakallu, Subbarayanapalya, Chikkanagamangala, Seegehalli and Kannahalli.

Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC), he says, is being upgraded to handle more waste. The capacity will go up from the present 500 metric tonnes. “These units can handle 1,800 metric tonnes of waste. Once the KCDC Unit in Kudlu is upgraded, a total of 2,300 metric tonnes can be composed. This will happen in another four weeks,” he informs.

The government has approved bio-remediation and mining of the piled-up 20 lakh tonnes of waste from Mandur landfill. “It will take around four to five years to clear the pile here. Same will be done with Mavallipura landfill site which has 5-6 lakh metric tonnes of waste. Government approval for this site is awaited.”

The Palike also wants to strengthen In-Situ processing, especially for bulk processing. “A new unit to manage 100 metric tonnes of hotel waste has been set up with the hotel association. More such units will come up. Construction debris will be sent to quarry units on the city outskirts to be recycled.”

The existing system of handling green waste in parks will be strengthened. Jain elaborates, “The 189 dry waste processing centres will also be increased in capacity. Also three new waste composting units will be set up in the next 2-3 years to manage 2000 metric tonnes of waste in Magadi Road, Kannur and Giddahalli.”