Compost Santhe gives lessons on upcycling garbage

More than 20 firms demonstrated different methods of recycling and upcycling as part of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) Compost Santhe at BTM Layout on Sunday.

BBMP is trying to drive home the importance of segregation of waste by organising compost santhes in different wards every Sunday.

The santhe at BTM Layout had answers to many pertinent questions related to garbage, which has become a burden for the Palike and the citizens alike.

From lessons on turning wet waste into compost to useful tips about how and where to market it, the santhe gave one the impression that garbage also has money-making potential. There were smart machines that turned waste into manure as were firms that specialised in roof-top gardening.

“I learned how to make (bio) gas out of garbage at home. But it takes lot of time before I can do that. I will focus on turning waste into manure. In future, BBMP doesn't have to worry about collecting waste from my home,” said Shwetha Pandit.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who inaugurated the event, said the BBMP should start a programme to buy manure from homes and supply it to farmers. “This will solve the garbage problem and provide rich manure to farmers,” he said.

Mayor G Padmavathi said BBMP will organise the santhe in all 198 wards. “We have got good response for the santhe in many wards. People should come out of the mindset where they just want to rid their house of waste. They have to care for the environment around them. It needs some amount of contribution from everyone,” she added.