'Set up your own processing units or tie up with recognised agencies'

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has directed the bulk waste generators to either set up their own garbage processing units or tie up with the Palike-recognised agencies dealing with the waste.

The Palike has identified those who generate 10 kg or more waste on a daily basis as bulk generators. However, it has zeroed in on 7,000-odd major bulk generators across the City and their numbers may increase further. They include hotels, function halls, multi-storey apartments comprising 50 or more flats, big malls and commercial buildings. The civic body has asked the bulk generators to either create their own facility to dispose of the waste or align with agencies dealing with waste management.

The Palike has also set a deadline of February 20 for the bulk generators to submit their application, if they wish to tie up with Palike-backed solid waste management (SWM) agencies.

BBMP Special Commissioner (SWM) Subodh Yadav told reporters on Friday, “Some private agencies have tied up with some bulk generators but their work is not satisfactory as they used to either dump the waste in open or send the mixed waste to the Palike's processing units. This prompted the Palike to create a platform for the bulk generators to connect them with the Palike-recognised agencies.”

BBMP’s conditions for the private agencies handling bulk waste are rigid. They should have a garbage processing unit and segregation unit. Since the bulk waste is not being sent to a designated place and is given to unskilled private agencies, Palike has no records to show the quantity of waste these bulk generators produce. 

The Palike has not listed industries though many generate waste in bulk. It plans to devise another mechanism to deal with bulk industrial waste, including hazardous material  which is dealt separately.