SHRED-ding garbage on their own...

SHRED-ding garbage on their own...
By Satish Shile, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Shantinagar Residents Development Association (SHRED) launched its own system to collect municipal waste generated in Shantinagar locality in 1997 with one tri-cycle. Though they have not succeeded in their efforts completely, they are hopeful they would get positive results.

“Let us stop blaming BBMP for everything”. This decision taken by residents of Shantinagar prompted them to take a few affirmative steps to tackle the garbage menace. Though they have not succeeded in their efforts completely, they are hopeful they would get positive results.
Shantinagar Residents’ Development Association (SHRED) launched its own system to collect municipal waste generated in Shantinagar locality in 1997 with one tri-cycle. A rag-picker was given the responsibility of collecting the garbage.
Over a period of 10 years, the number of garbage collectors grew to six each with one tricycle.
“When we implemented the system, then BMP had no proper mechanism to handle municipal waste. We continued our efforts despite even after the Palike introduced the contract system in 2002. In fact, the Palike asked us to continue it as our system has been supplementing its efforts. We collect Rs 25 per month from each house and Rs 50 per month from each commercial establishment,” said Kathyayini Chamaraj, Association secretary.

Segregation of waste
However, SHRED has not succeeded in making people segregate garbage before handing it over to either civic workers or the workers of the association.
Kathyayini said:“We have been distributing pamphlets asking residents to segregate garbage at home itself. But they are not obliging. It is only a matter of time before they (people) cooperate.”
When Deccan Herald asked Suri, a resident of Lakshmi Road in Shantinagar, why he can’t segregate dry and wet garbage at his home, he argued: “It is highly impractical. How can you expect people who leave home at 7 am to segregate garbage and put in covers?
Civic workers segregate plastic and other non-biodegradable wastes and make money by selling it to recycling units. Do you expect me to take away their earning by segregating garbage myself?”.

Making it a rule
But the office-bearers of SHRED felt the Palike should penalise those who do not segregate garbage. “Making a rule by itself will not serve any purpose. It should take necessary measures to enforce it. If it decides to slap penalty on those who do not segregate, we residents will find time to segregate no matter however busy we are,” remarked Jyothi Surendra, an active member of SHRED.
She also pointed out that though the Palike has made it compulsory to have completely covered trucks to carry garbage, the Palike itself is not following the regulation.
“Trucks of private contractors are completely covered. However, that of the Palike are not covered. Why can’t the Palike have common regulations for trucks of both the Palike as well as contractors,” she asked.

Carelessness
Another major issue that has worried many people of the locality is their neighbours’ carelessness in disposing of waste.
Ravi Kumar, whose house is close to garbage collection point on Lakshmi Road, said: “Whenever I open the windows, it stinks. My family members often suffer from cold or fever because of garbage. Residents come in posh cars and throw waste on the road. Most of the time, they throw garbage hours after the garbage carrying truck has left the spot. Why can’t they keep garbage till the next day and hand it over to civic workers”? he asked.
‘Who’ll else will do ?’
Retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice L Sreenivasa Reddy, who owns a house on Lakshmi Road, took strong exception to residents not segregating garbage and dumping waste on the roadside.
“It is the responsibility of residents to segregate garbage. If not, who else will do that?” Reddy questioned.