JOIN USSegregation of garbage is key to eliminating harmful wastes from environment in the City, according to scientists at the Institute of Wood Sciences and Technology (IWST).
The government has amended the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act, 1976, empowering civic bodies to penalise people who do not segregate waste at source. Agencies are allowed to levy a fine of Rs 100 for the first time and Rs 500 if people continue the practice.
However, Ajay Karmarkar, scientist from IWST, says: “While there is no problem with penalising people who do not follow the process of segregation, the problem per se cannot be solved like that.” There are several contributors to the waste, he said and opined it was difficult for a single agency to keep tabs on the reuse or disposal.
Instead, he said the government should consider roping in industries and supply-chain network and have a policy where the consumer sees an incentive in segregating his/her waste.
A similar practice can be introduced in all industries, which generate waste like tubelights, water or cool drink bottles and so on.
Urban expert M N Sreehari said: “Does anybody find people throwing away their newspapers or milk packets. They do not, as there is some incentive in storing them well and reselling. It will work the same way if they see incentives in other products.”