In order to bring awareness among residents on household waste management, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has been conducting awareness campaigns since last month.
“With the help of residents welfare associations (RWAs), the GCC has conducted over 32 similar campaigns till date in zone 14,” says Conservancy Inspector, Venkat Kumar.
He told News Today that a similar campaign was organised on 20 March at Madipakkam North East Residents Welfare Association (MANERWA) office, where over 60 residents including RWA members and GCC staff took part.
“In the campaign held on Wednesday, we informed participants all about waste management, segregation process and after-use of bio-degradable and non-biodegradable waste. Also, we had discussions with residents to further improvise the garbage collection process in the zone. We also requested residents to do their part, like separating household waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable and handing them out to the garbage collector when s/he arrives,” he added.
Speaking about this, president of MANERWA, Anbalagan, said, “I thank GCC for organising the campaign. We had very good discussions to sort out issues dealing with garbage disposal and management. We have asked the authorities to stick pamplets, listing steps to manage household waste at every doorstep, so the residents can learn and follow the same.”
What’s happening off-screen?
Asked to explain the process involved in waste management, the Conservancy Inspector said, “On an average, we collect and discard three to five tonnes of waste, everyday. After collecting the garbage, we separate them into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. The biodegradable waste is transferred to solid waste management plants – like the one at Old dumpyard in Pallikaranai – and are made into organic manure. The non-biodegradable waste is made into powder, used for industry related purposes.”
Effective Ban
The conservancy inspector calls the plastic ban that the State implemented from the start of the year ‘effective’. He says the ban has reduced the amount of non-biodegradable waste coming in, regularly.
“Before the ban, our team used to collect garbage, mostly plastic covers at large scale from vacant lands. But now, we see the amount has reduced to half. Thanks to the plastic ban,” said Venkat Kumar.
Word of mouth
Although conservancy workers collect garbage every morning, residents need to pitch in as well, said Gomathi, a resident. “It takes time for the workers to separate garbage when they get to the dump yard. This in-turn spoils the whole chain and slows things down. If only every resident can separate garbage before handing it over,” she said.