Lesson in efficient waste management

Lesson in efficient waste management
Ex-BBMP Commissioner Shows The Way With Successful Pilot Project In Home Ward Yelahanka
Jayashree Nandi | TNN

Bangalore: The BBMP spends Rs 110 crore annually to clear our garbage. Most of this goes towards transporting massive heaps of solid waste to dumping yards far from the city limits. More often than not, the garbage is dumped on the outskirts.
Now, here’s a plant that can be set up in your neighbourhood and take care of the area’s muck. A pilot project of decentralized solid waste management in Yelahanka seems to not just simplify the process, but also cut transportation and labour costs by 50%.
All you need to do is sort your waste before handing it to the pick-up auto, which will then transport it to the plant set up specially for each ward. The Yelahanka plant has a capacity of 5 tonnes and covers 8,000 houses, restaurants and apartment complexes. Former BBMP commissioner S Subramanya conceived the project. Being a resident of Yelahanka, he wanted to try it out there before replicating it in other wards. “The project required an investment of Rs 2 crore, but subsequent ones can be developed at Rs 1.5 crore or even Rs 1 crore. It is easy to replicate,” Subramanya said.
WHAT THE PLANT DOES
Treats organic waste through aerobic process Organic manure generated is used in BBMP parks and on medians Recycled plastic is used to generate cakes to make pipes for agricultural use. Every tonne of this compressed plastic is sold for Rs 18,000 Shredded coconut husk, loose paper is sold for fuel Different kinds of fungi, and a continuous blend of water and oxygen are supplied to speed up decomposition It takes 15 days to generate manure that is then used directly in fields The machinery, developed locally in Yelahanka, was designed with inputs from Subramanya and BBMP engineers
ADVANTAGES
Concern over whether garbage is actually taken to the landfill sites in Doddaballapur, or just off-loaded at vacant sites along the way, can be addressed through these localized plants Chances of health problems around residential areas and ground water contamination from decomposing waste are minimized Easy way to regenerate waste Plant can be accessed by residents in case they miss the pick-up auto
CAN EVEN BE PROFITABLE
We spend Rs 110 crore per year on waste management. A decentralized process can help cut down on costs, if not make profits. In Yelahanka, hardly any lane has a garbage dump now. This plant has been operational for 15 days and is managing garbage effectively
S Subramanya | FORMER BBMP COMMISSIONER