Bangalore: As another garbage crisis threatens the city, experts feel that the BBMP has done little to resolve the simmering issue. Two years ago, the city faced its worst garbage crisis as waste piled up in most areas, posing health hazards. “Very less has changed now,” the experts are unanimous in their view.
“The garbage issue has been plaguing the city for more than four years now. It has reached epic proportions now,” said Meenakshi Bharath, member of Solid Waste Management Round Table, which deals in creating awareness on garbage segregation.
She said the civic body has failed to implement five simple steps to put an end to the garbage menace.
“All they have to do is segregate garbage, collect wet waste everyday, collect dry waste once a week, recycle dry waste and use wet waste. This is all that needs to be followed in every ward”.
A former BBMP commissioner echoed the same view.
“The root of the issue is segregation at source. We fail at the simple concept of distributing and collecting dry waste and wet waste separately”, he said.
He explained that the problem can be resolved if the BBMP takes steps to reduce the pressure on landfills.
“Having a dry waste collection centre at every ward will reduce the pressure on landfills by 50 per cent”, he observed.
Meenashi Bharath said the two dustbin policy should be implemented strictly in the city.
“The BBMP should make a rule that only segregated waste will be collected. Then, the pourakarmikas will refuse to collect non-segregated waste and the garbage trucks will refuse to collect non-segregated waste. Who will the people give it to then? This is the only way to solve the issue”, he insisted.
The former BBMP commissioner said the civic body should let waste generators take responsibility for waste disposal.
“Identify bigger establishments especially hotels, choultries, malls, educational institutes, marriage halls. Teach them waste segregation and let them address the disposal of wet waste. Let dry waste be collected at dry waste centres. This will bring down pressure on BBMP — cost-wise and on the manpower front”, he suggested.
The experts also felt that creating revenue from waste should be explored.
“Paper and glass can be recycled. Waste should not be treated as waste but should be looked at as a source of revenue. That will change things,” the former BBMP commissioner said.