BSWML delists 90% vendors after scrutiny, apartments left with little leverage

Bengaluru: In a bid to prevent the misuse of its infrastructure, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) has removed about 90% of its empanelled vendors who were authorised to collect waste from apartments and commercial buildings. Only four private entities, including one lesser-known firm, have passed the new criteria to collect bulk waste.

As per the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, residential buildings with more than 100 dwelling units and commercial complexes with an area exceeding 5,000 square metres are considered bulk waste generators (BWGs). These rules mandate that BWGs must either set up their own on-site waste processing facility or partner with an empanelled agency that owns a waste disposal plant, paying service charges.

However, most empanelled vendors had been dumping waste onto BBMP-run auto tippers for several years, effectively earning money without actually processing the waste.

To curb this and recover lost revenue, BSWML issued a notification last year inviting applications from service providers operating waste processing units in Bengaluru. A total of 39 applications were received.

Subsequently, BSWML formed three teams to assess these applicants by evaluating their waste processing capabilities and conducting site inspections. Based on their recommendations, BSWML selected four vendors: Sustainable Impacts Pvt Ltd, an offshoot of Hasiru Dala (for wet waste); MSGP Infra Tech Pvt Ltd (wet and dry waste); Mukka Proteins Ltd (wet and dry waste); and Swachha Eco Solutions (dry waste). Collectively, these companies have a processing capacity of around 450 tonnes per day.

While three of the selected vendors have been part of the system for some time, Mukka Proteins Ltd is a new entrant. Interestingly, it has been authorised to collect the largest volume — 300 tonnes per day — with BSWML also promising to increase this cap to 1,000 tonnes in the future.