BANGALORE: To reduce the dumping of waste in landfills, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is adopting a holistic approach to dispose of different types of waste.
Last month, BBMP called for an expression of interest from service providers who have the technology, manpower and infrastructure to process different kinds of waste.
According to BBMP Chief Engineer (Solid Waste Management) Venkatesh,they have received 80 applications, including 17 online.
Joint Commissioner (Health) Yatish Kumar said most applicants have come forward to dispose of wet waste and a few for disposal of construction and sanitary waste.
“The plan is in the preliminary stage and we are scrutinising the applications. The aim is to dispose of waste at the ward level and lessen the burden on landfills,” he said.
The BBMP is bringing together various waste generators and disposers at multiple levels.
“We have called a meeting with the piggeries association. There are 415 piggeries on the city outskirts which are interested in taking food waste generated by hotels and choultries. If a certain amount of food waste is sent out, the burden on us will be reduced,” Kumar said.
He said the BBMP also had discussions with goshalas, which are ready to take market waste, and with the butchers’ association to get rid of animal waste.
In the coming days, they are planning to conduct a meeting with clubs and malls.
Waste generated from these places are now getting mixed with the regular waste and sent to landfills.
A Multi-pronged Approach
At present, the only two agencies which collect biomedical waste from hospitals are Maradi and Ramky.
On a trial basis, BBMP has asked these two agencies to collect sanitary waste from Yelahanka and west zones. They will collect the waste from designated places.
Kumar said they are also considering a tie-up with a company in Rajajinagar Industrial area for recyling thermocol.
This apart, BBMP has awarded a contract to Mumbai-based Chanakya Institute which has the technology to convert used sugarcane and coconut shells into blocks that can be used as fuel.
“A letter of acceptance has been given. The firm is doing the ground work and they shall start work soon,” Kumar said.
It can be recalled that the Bruhat Bangalore Hoteliers’ Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with Noble Exchange Environment Solutions which has the technology to convert kitchen waste into biogas.