He also urged that segregation of wastes at source plays an important role in SWM. And, people have to be consistently sensitised to segregate wastes at source.
Coimbatore: In a major move to implement the directives of 2016 Solid Waste Management (SWM) Coimbatore City Muncipal Corporation (CCMC) will be officially announcing to all bulk waste generators to manage their own wastes starting from August 1, 2019.
"Starting August 1, 2019, CCMC will not collect wastes generated by bulk waste generators in the city. Instead, they should handle the wastes themselves", stated Corporation Commissioner J. Sravan Kumar.
He also added that CCMC will be organising a conclave on July 21 -22 to help the bulk waste generators on effective waste disposal methods. Experts from Solid Waste Management will educate the hoteliers, apartment complexes, institutions or other large scale waste generators who produce more than 100 kg waste per day.
"As the bulk generators are skeptical of the possible ways to manage wastes hereon, the CCMC's conclave will help them learn all possible ways from experts from SWM. The bulk generators can choose any method, as per their convenience", opined the Corporation Commissioner.
According to SWM rules 2016, bulk waste generators should segregate the wastes generated by them into bio-degradable (wet waste), non-biodegradable (dry waste) and domestic hazardous waste in suitable bins.
The rule stated that "Bulk waste generators shall, within one year from the date of notification of these rules and in partnership with the local body have to ensure segregation of waste at source, as prescribed in these rules. Facilitate collection of segregated waste in separate streams, handover recyclable material to either the authorised waste pickers or the authorised recyclers."
The bio-degradable waste shall be processed, treated and disposed off through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible. The residual waste shall be given to the waste collectors or agency as directed by the local body, says the SWM rule.
Speaking on this a senior Corporation official said, "Out of the 890 tonnes of wastes generated per day in the City, almost 150 tonnes are from bulk waste generators. If the bulk generators can manage their wastes, the wastes dumped in Vellalore will be drastically reduced. Also, CCMC has been spending sizeable man hours on this segment which can be now utilised for other productive jobs."
He noted that "As per SWM rules, CCMC has issued notices to more than 400 bulk waste generators last year, requesting them to manage their own waste. If implemented, this will be a major step in Solid waste management."
Speaking on this, Suresh Bandari of "No Dumping", an entity working on waste management said "We work with apartments to manage their waste for a nominal fee. Approximately, there are about 900 apartment complexes in Coimbatore city limits. Initially, only three apartments agreed to work with us. But today, we have signed up with more than 60 apartments to manage their wastes. This move by CCMC on bulk waste generators is a very positive sign."
"The bulk waste generators will either have to adopt ways proposed by the Corporation or use private waste handlers like us. Over a period of time, this move will create responsibility among the bulk waste generators to reduce their waste generation", he added.
He also urged that segregation of wastes at source plays an important role in SWM. And, people have to be consistently sensitised to segregate wastes at source.
Though this is regarded to be a welcome move by the CCMC, the bulk waste generators will certainly raise questions if their taxation would be reduced, henceforth.
However, the CCMC is determined of implementing the SWM rule from August 1, 2019.