Realisation: Segregation at Source and Waste Management.
Gurugram City (Haryana): Segregation At Source is a reality and a worthwhile solution. It should be accepted by everyone and implemented across entire country. Strictly! Garbage Mountains must become extinct. Reduce Reuse Recycle become our consumerism mantra. Health of nature, nation and citizen cannot be compromised.
My Story: Highlighting Waste Management. As a resident of gurugram and NCR. I’ve been staying and travelling since decades. In January’2018 morning, I witnessed a small truck taking out Mixed Garbage from my condominium. Suddenly, it strikes me, this mixed waste causes lots of Pollution, to underground surface, water, soil, surrounding air and also for rag pickers, who are dependent on waste economy, in spite of hazardous conditions. I further studied and researched about the above problem. The conclusions were interesting, that as per SWM'16 rules, all waste should be Segregated at source and then processed, as per guidelines. Basically, SWM rules have to be strictly followed and implemented by the city's Corporation and backed by respective State Government. State govt can enact their own rules and add to SWM’16. All the methodologies and processes, have been duly notified in the rule book. But it's not showing healthy acceptance across the nation. The country needs a Big Push. It’s a sad situation!
Entire city has to follow waste management practices and government has to aware, educate the Citizens, how to handle and process it. But in reality, it's not happening. Why, because officials assume, that Indians would never ever Segregate their waste. Officials assume that we Indians cannot move ahead with time and change our lifestyle, towards waste and other life issues.
I decided to implement Segregation / Composting, within my own condo. Similar to few other RWA’s across gurugram. Approached my own RWA, updated about the problem, explained the Solutions and offered all my assistance. Then contacted the Vendors, providing solutions in composting. There were manufacturers selling 24hr automatic composting machine, which basically gives Burnt Carbon as a residue. Nature cannot transform a waste to compost within 24-48hr. Impossible!
Then I met, few ethical vendors, offering Aerobic, Vermi, Drum Composting. The output was a perfect quality compost. In fact, central government should empanel more vendors in Natural, Organic form of Composting. This would create sustainability, maintain soil nourishment, would help farmers to procure low cost, high quality organic fertilizer. Lakhs of jobs in small and mid-segments would be created. But sadly, these 24hr units, have spoilt the ecosystem. They are being rejected by consumers or becoming technologically redundant.
Meanwhile I also interacted with experts in waste mgmt. Contacted MCG and got to know about Ecogreen. Learnt, that this agency has been given entire city's garbage contract, but it does not mandate, Segregation at Source. They have to collect mixed waste from the entire city, which then, can never be separated again, then at transfer stations, the waste would be compacted and sent to Bandhwari dump-site. Where organic waste would be composted (whereas in reality, once mixed , compost manufacturing is impossible. A needle can never be separated from a pile of fruits and vegetables), recyclable items be sold outside and remaining hazardous items would be burnt in a WtE. But as per experts and my thinking, if all give Segregated waste, then many of RWA can make compost within own premises, even households can start opting for home-composting. Hotels can opt for Biogas plants. Opportunities are limitless. The agency, if they follow rules, as mandated by experts, they would be able to make high quality organic compost. The recyclable items can be given to entire unorganized/organized kabaadi segment. Remaining items can be burnt at a cement or power plants. No need for big WtE Plants.
Source Segregation has so much resource and potential in managing our nation's wealth and waste. Finally, in my condo, a compost plant was approved. Residents are segregating their waste, becoz it's not being sent to Bandhwari.
To attain success, awareness, education, sensitisation and a lot of Pushing was done. With a bit of threatening by Law. All the questions of stake holders were answered. Then results appeared. Requested nearby societies to adopt similar solutions and they complied. But I alone cannot serve the entire city. Like me, lots of champion citizens are involved with waste mgmt. and successfully pushing the society to transform their habits and lifestyle. This proves, with proper intent and planning, Segregation At Source is a possibility and not a mirage or a day dreaming scenario.
Written in 2020

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