India's waste management

Sheren Shrestha is all too aware of the problems of waste managment in India, and made a short documentary about the efforts of one administrative area, or so-called ward, in the south-western city of Mysuru to tackle the problem at a local level. He shared his thoughts with us for #doingyourbit.

Global Ideas: Can you explain the initiative?

Sheren Shrestha: The Kumbarakoppal ward solid waste management plant is an amazing participatory initiative that involves the general public in household waste management. Run by the local leader Mr Madegowda, it spreads awareness of the benefits in the community, and ensures proper disposal of waste.

The initiative is assisted by members of Stree Shakti (which literally translates to Women Power), a women's Self Help Group of the Kumbarakoppal ward.

Essentially, the plant facilitates door-to-door waste collection from Kumbarakoppal. The waste collectors are accompanied by members of the Stree Shakti, who talk to household owners about proper waste segregation and disposal. The idea is for each household to separate its dry (plastics) and wet (biological) waste at home. This reduces work for the plant workers, who separate the waste even further.

Using this simple entrepreneurial initiative, the ward ensures that less than five percent of the total five tons of waste collected per day is sent to Mysuru's overflowing land fills. Additionally, it generates revenue.

How did the scheme come about?

The project implementer, Mr. Madegowda, who is also a local political leader had been involved with social issues. He had served in a voluntary group called Bharat Seva Dal - a socio-political organization (involved in India's freedom struggle) which promoted Mahatma Gandhi's call for a clean India. Later, when he became a member of legislative council, he got involved in the state government's initiatives on cleanliness. But he realized that nothing would change without intervention and the involvement of the people.

How long did it take to convince the community to get on board?

People began getting on board from the beginning, which was 2004, and the city authorities have since declared Kumbarakoppal a model ward. However, this way of life does not come naturally to people and has not been automated, so the process to remind them is ongoing.

How are they reminded?

This ward has 11 sections, with one representative of the Self Help Group from each of these sections. The SHG members accompany the waste collectors covering different sections every day. They speak to individual households about proper waste segregation and disposal. They speak not only about keeping their surroundings clean but also about hygiene and health benefits. The team also had a doctor, whose presence and participation made their requests more convincing.

How large is the community in which it operates and what do residents have to do?

The ward has around 2000 households and their responsibility is to segregate the biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable before collection.

How has the presence of a doctor helped?

In India, particularly in cities, improper waste managements means it is common to find heaps of waste lying on roadsides and empty plots. These areas attract stray animals and flies, which can affect the health of local residents.

In this ward, the situation is different. According to Stree Shakti members, the local people now realize that they no longer have to take their children to the doctors as often as they did when the ward was less clean. Once people had become aware of the situation and begun to dispose of their garbage properly, they saw their children were less prone to sickness.

What are the costs to the community?

Every household pays a nominal monthly fee for waste collection, as is the norm in the whole city.

Are trash collectors/separators paid a wage?

Yes. They have also been given other privileges like housing facilities, healthcare benefits and support for education of their children.

When the separated trash is sold, do the profits go back into the community?

The trash is sold to the recycling units and profits go into paying salary of the workers, their welfare, and to run the unit.

Why have others in the city not adopted it too?

It is human resource intensive. Still, this is not a difficult task, but requires a motivated entrepreneur and good amount of political will to ensure proper implementation and coordination.

Is it a scheme that could be applied across India or even the world?

Practicality in different localities will, of course, vary. However, this is a simple model, and with certain modifications, it can be easily replicated anywhere.

Nepalese environmentalist Sheren Shrestha studied Zoology and Environmental Sciences in Delhi. He has worked with leading international conservation organizations including IFAW-WTI and WCS in India. He makes films and music to highlight the problems facing our natural world.