KOCHI: Managing waste has always posed a problem for local bodies. And despite several initiatives by the corporations, municipalities and panchayats, garbage strewn across the road continues to be a pressing menace.
Setting an example is the eleventh division in Eloor municipality which is turning a model for civic bodies. According to the municipal authorities, the aerobic bin which was set up at the Pathalam junction has helped the municipality to get rid of the garbage in their division.
“ When the garbage menace reached its zenith with people dumping waste on the road side, we started formulating the project.
Through this project, people can bring waste to the centre and deposit it in the cabin which has been installed inside the centre.
The presence of organic acid inside the bin will prevent any stench from coming out of the bin. Thanks to this method, we were able to make the division garbage free.
We are also getting a lot of support from the public,” said Joseph Sherry, 11 division councillor.
The centre which was set up by spending Rs 3.5 lakh is open for food waste collection from morning to evening. “ Every day, over 100 families dispose their food waste here. Normally, it will take around one month for the food waste be converted into manure,” said Chithira, who is in charge of the aerobic compositor.
In order to control the plastic waste menace in the division, the councillor himself began collecting waste from the public. “ The first Sunday of every month, people can hand over the plastic waste to me. I will hand over the waste to the plastic collecting agency. Our sole aim is to make the premises free of garbage waste,” Sherry added.
Taking a cue from the success of the project, the Eloor municipality has decided to expand the project to other five divisions as well. They have allocated Rs 7 lakh for each project in the plan fund. “ We have now one aerobic composting bin to treat vegetable waste in Pathalam. In the project plan, we have decided to install five more bins.
We have also plans to distribute pipe compost to the municipality which will help in disposing the waste at its source. The project is part of the clean Eloor project,” said A D Sujil, vice-chairman of the municipality.