Bengaluru to take a leaf out of Kerala’s compost book

Waste management has always been a challenge for the BBMP. Now, the civic body wants to crack the code by emulating the Alappuzha model.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is planning to establish compost centres across the city, aiming to bring in sustainable practices in solid waste management among residents.

It wants to design compost centres à la Alappuzha in Kerala, where the civic administration has not only encouraged residents to set up biogas units or composting bins, but also established one compost centre in every kilometre. The residents in Alappuzha are educated about segregation of waste and how to reap benefits from the composting units, which help in converting solid waste into organic manure.

“We want to set up small compost units in residential neighbourhoods. But as we all know, the city faces a huge land issue for plans such as these. Even if land is available, the residents might oppose. So, we want to begin establishing units in those places where people or resident welfare associations come forward and provide us space for composting,” said Randeep D, additional commissioner (admin), BBMP.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said they can go by the plan if residents come forward to adopt the practice.

“This will help convert solid waste into organic manure and will also serve as the drop-off point for residents who miss primary collection,” said Randeep. “We are even planning to utilise Nagarothana funds from the budget for the same,” he said. “We are not looking at establishing compost units across all wards, but within the neighbourhood.”

Sandhya Narayan from Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), said, “The Alappuzha model is cost-effective and working well. It is a welcome move if the BBMP plans to emulate it, but there has to be efforts from both the residents and the BBMP to make it work.”